One of the most anticipated reactions to Roger Federer's retirement announcement was that of Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard wasted no time in sending a special message to Federer, who is not just his greatest rival, but also his good friend.The tennis world was left in an emotional state after the latest display of mutual respect between 'Fedal' - as the duo are affectionately called by their legion of fans.Federer will retire after next weekend's Laver Cup, and on Thursday he stated that his decision was driven by the fact that his body would not be able to endure the demands of the tennis tour in the long run. Nadal reacted to the announcement by admitting that he always wished 'the day would never come.' He further wished the Swiss great the best for his future endeavors."Dear Roger, my friend and rival. I wish this day would have never come. It’s a sad day for me personally and for sports around the world," Nadal wrote. "It’s been a pleasure but also an honor and privilege to share all these years with you, living so many amazing moments on and off the court."The Spaniard also vowed that the duo were not done just yet, and that they would share many more special moments together."We will have many more moments to share together in the future, there are still lots of things to do together, we know that," Nadal wrote. "For now, I truly wish you all the happiness with your wife, Mirka, your kids, your family and enjoy what’s ahead of you. I’ll see you in London at the Laver Cup."Rafa Nadal@RafaelNadalDear Roger,my friend and rival. I wish this day would have never come. It’s a sad day for me personally and for sports around the world.It’s been a pleasure but also an honor and privilege to share all these years with you, living so many amazing moments on and off the court 🏻17282824175Dear Roger,my friend and rival. I wish this day would have never come. It’s a sad day for me personally and for sports around the world.It’s been a pleasure but also an honor and privilege to share all these years with you, living so many amazing moments on and off the court 👇🏻Rafa Nadal@RafaelNadalWe will have many more moments to share together in the future, there are still lots of things to do together, we know that. For now, I truly wish you all the happiness with your wife, Mirka, your kids, your family and enjoy what’s ahead of you. I’ll see you in London @LaverCup513325911We will have many more moments to share together in the future, there are still lots of things to do together, we know that. For now, I truly wish you all the happiness with your wife, Mirka, your kids, your family and enjoy what’s ahead of you. I’ll see you in London @LaverCupIn his message on Instagram, Nadal even hinted that the two players had a conversation ahead of the Swiss great's announcement. Fans on social media had strong reactions to Nadal's comments, expressing admiration for the mutual respect the two players have always had for one another. "No surprise they spoke in private. Fedal always gonna Fedal," read a tweet on the same.TroubleFault@troublefaultOh, I didn’t pay enough attention to the IG message Rafa posted for Roger because I read it on Twitter first…Just realized what was added: “I said it to you 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙚 𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙠𝙚 and now it’s here, written.”No surprise they spoke in private. Fedal always gonna Fedal. 🥹4210Oh, I didn’t pay enough attention to the IG message Rafa posted for Roger because I read it on Twitter first…Just realized what was added: “I said it to you 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙚 𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙠𝙚 and now it’s here, written.”No surprise they spoke in private. Fedal always gonna Fedal. 🥹 https://t.co/udwZ9iTGwJAnother fan opined that Federer and Nadal have set the standard for healthy rivalries not just in tennis but in the world of sports as a whole."The way Roger and Rafa rivalry is the benchmark fof healthy rivalry in sports. Literally no bad blood throughout the years, Fedal is one of the best and iconic rivalries in sports history," read another tweet.f🍀@konidasuThe way Roger and Rafa rivalry is the benchmark fof healthy rivalry in sports. Literally no bad blood throughout the years. Fedal is one of the best and iconic rivalries in sports history. twitter.com/RafaelNadal/st…Rafa Nadal@RafaelNadalWe will have many more moments to share together in the future, there are still lots of things to do together, we know that. For now, I truly wish you all the happiness with your wife, Mirka, your kids, your family and enjoy what’s ahead of you. I’ll see you in London @LaverCup61We will have many more moments to share together in the future, there are still lots of things to do together, we know that. For now, I truly wish you all the happiness with your wife, Mirka, your kids, your family and enjoy what’s ahead of you. I’ll see you in London @LaverCupThe way Roger and Rafa rivalry is the benchmark fof healthy rivalry in sports. Literally no bad blood throughout the years. Fedal is one of the best and iconic rivalries in sports history. twitter.com/RafaelNadal/st…Here are a few more reactions from tennis fans to Rafael Nadal's comments:Vincent Poulain@vincentloic_pBest bromance ever. twitter.com/RafaelNadal/st…Rafa Nadal@RafaelNadalDear Roger,my friend and rival. I wish this day would have never come. It’s a sad day for me personally and for sports around the world.It’s been a pleasure but also an honor and privilege to share all these years with you, living so many amazing moments on and off the court 🏻527479Dear Roger,my friend and rival. I wish this day would have never come. It’s a sad day for me personally and for sports around the world.It’s been a pleasure but also an honor and privilege to share all these years with you, living so many amazing moments on and off the court 👇🏻Best bromance ever. twitter.com/RafaelNadal/st…Rachel | #4InMelbourne #23InMelbourne@RAFACHARLIGAfriend first then rival I love them so much 🥺 twitter.com/rafaelnadal/st…Rafa Nadal@RafaelNadalDear Roger,my friend and rival. I wish this day would have never come. It’s a sad day for me personally and for sports around the world.It’s been a pleasure but also an honor and privilege to share all these years with you, living so many amazing moments on and off the court 🏻71Dear Roger,my friend and rival. I wish this day would have never come. It’s a sad day for me personally and for sports around the world.It’s been a pleasure but also an honor and privilege to share all these years with you, living so many amazing moments on and off the court 👇🏻friend first then rival I love them so much 🥺❤️ twitter.com/rafaelnadal/st…anenglishmaninspain@AndyElcheOh Rafa, I was sad enough. Then reading that it all become real...Such a sad day, but beautiful words.Thanks to you both, for everything @RafaelNadal @rogerfederer twitter.com/RafaelNadal/st…Rafa Nadal@RafaelNadalDear Roger,my friend and rival. I wish this day would have never come. It’s a sad day for me personally and for sports around the world.It’s been a pleasure but also an honor and privilege to share all these years with you, living so many amazing moments on and off the court 🏻222458Dear Roger,my friend and rival. I wish this day would have never come. It’s a sad day for me personally and for sports around the world.It’s been a pleasure but also an honor and privilege to share all these years with you, living so many amazing moments on and off the court 👇🏻Oh Rafa, I was sad enough. Then reading that it all become real...Such a sad day, but beautiful words.Thanks to you both, for everything @RafaelNadal @rogerfederer twitter.com/RafaelNadal/st…Frank Barrett@FrankBarrett119While (IMO) Rafa/Novak provided the best pure matches ever, Rafa/Roger will forever be the GOAT rivalry. It saved tennis arguably. The clash of style. The mutual respect. The greatness. It was more than sport, it was art. It’s tough to imagine seeing anything like it ever again. twitter.com/rafaelnadal/st…Rafa Nadal@RafaelNadalDear Roger,my friend and rival. I wish this day would have never come. It’s a sad day for me personally and for sports around the world.It’s been a pleasure but also an honor and privilege to share all these years with you, living so many amazing moments on and off the court 🏻222516Dear Roger,my friend and rival. I wish this day would have never come. It’s a sad day for me personally and for sports around the world.It’s been a pleasure but also an honor and privilege to share all these years with you, living so many amazing moments on and off the court 👇🏻While (IMO) Rafa/Novak provided the best pure matches ever, Rafa/Roger will forever be the GOAT rivalry. It saved tennis arguably. The clash of style. The mutual respect. The greatness. It was more than sport, it was art. It’s tough to imagine seeing anything like it ever again. twitter.com/rafaelnadal/st…Q 🌸 RFederer era ❤️🎾@i_is_a_batseThe greatest rivalry and sportsmen in tennis.I’m crying reading this, the respect they have for eachother is astronomicalThe fact Federer is ending his career with Nadal as his teammate is legendary twitter.com/rafaelnadal/st…Rafa Nadal@RafaelNadalDear Roger,my friend and rival. I wish this day would have never come. It’s a sad day for me personally and for sports around the world.It’s been a pleasure but also an honor and privilege to share all these years with you, living so many amazing moments on and off the court 🏻15814522592Dear Roger,my friend and rival. I wish this day would have never come. It’s a sad day for me personally and for sports around the world.It’s been a pleasure but also an honor and privilege to share all these years with you, living so many amazing moments on and off the court 👇🏻The greatest rivalry and sportsmen in tennis.I’m crying reading this, the respect they have for eachother is astronomicalThe fact Federer is ending his career with Nadal as his teammate is legendary 😭 twitter.com/rafaelnadal/st… https://t.co/lwNTU9ixF9Pratik প্রতীক پرتیک@pratik80sEvery era gets its own sporting heroes but our unique privilege has been witnessing this rivalry -- fierce on court and most respectful off it -- in an era that has seen human relations plunge to new depth everyday in all walks of life all over the world #rogerfederer twitter.com/RafaelNadal/st…Rafa Nadal@RafaelNadalDear Roger,my friend and rival. I wish this day would have never come. It’s a sad day for me personally and for sports around the world.It’s been a pleasure but also an honor and privilege to share all these years with you, living so many amazing moments on and off the court 🏻21Dear Roger,my friend and rival. I wish this day would have never come. It’s a sad day for me personally and for sports around the world.It’s been a pleasure but also an honor and privilege to share all these years with you, living so many amazing moments on and off the court 👇🏻Every era gets its own sporting heroes but our unique privilege has been witnessing this rivalry -- fierce on court and most respectful off it -- in an era that has seen human relations plunge to new depth everyday in all walks of life all over the world #rogerfederer twitter.com/RafaelNadal/st…Cricketwallah@cricketwallahWhat respect, sentiment, what pathos! This has been a rivalry and friendship for the ages! twitter.com/rafaelnadal/st…Rafa Nadal@RafaelNadalDear Roger,my friend and rival. I wish this day would have never come. It’s a sad day for me personally and for sports around the world.It’s been a pleasure but also an honor and privilege to share all these years with you, living so many amazing moments on and off the court 🏻16911Dear Roger,my friend and rival. I wish this day would have never come. It’s a sad day for me personally and for sports around the world.It’s been a pleasure but also an honor and privilege to share all these years with you, living so many amazing moments on and off the court 👇🏻What respect, sentiment, what pathos! This has been a rivalry and friendship for the ages! twitter.com/rafaelnadal/st…D F R@GlowBriight@RafaelNadal Thank you Roger and Rafa for creating the best rivalry any sport could ever witnessed !1294@RafaelNadal Thank you Roger and Rafa for creating the best rivalry any sport could ever witnessed !"I'll see you in London" - Rafael Nadal set to join Roger Federer at Laver Cup 2022Laver Cup 2019 - Day 3Bringing even more joy to tennis fans, Rafael Nadal confirmed in his post that he would join Roger Federer at the Laver Cup. That means the prospect of 'Fedal' playing doubles together is very much alive. The two players will also be joined by their Big 4 colleagues Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray at the September 23-25 tournament in London.Earlier, there were doubts regarding the participation of both players at the Laver Cup. Federer was reportedly hit with another injury in a recent training session, while Nadal had raised concerns about his plans for the rest of the season after the US Open given the impending birth of his first child. However, both players have now officially confirmed their participation.They played together at the 2017 Laver Cup, defeating Sam Querrey and Jack Sock in a doubles match.Tennis TV@TennisTV@RafaelNadal #Fedalforever 8878774@RafaelNadal #Fedalforever ❤️ https://t.co/8K6lUzmjCEAlso check out: Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal Head to Head