.

[Roger Federer @rogerfederer]

Vamos, @RafaelNadal!

As you get ready to graduate from tennis, I’ve got a few things to share before I maybe get emotional.

Let’s start with the obvious: you beat me—a lot. More than I managed to beat you. You challenged me in ways no one else could. On clay, it felt like I was stepping into your backyard, and you made me work harder than I ever thought I could just to hold my ground. You made me reimagine my game—even going so far as to change the size of my racquet head, hoping for any edge.

I’m not a very superstitious person, but you took it to the next level. Your whole process. All those rituals. Assembling your water bottles like toy soldiers in formation, fixing your hair, adjusting your underwear... All of it with the highest intensity. Secretly, I kind of loved the whole thing. Because it was so unique—it was so you.

And you know what, Rafa, you made me enjoy the game even more. 

OK, maybe not at first. After the 2004 Australian Open, I achieved the #1 ranking for the first time. I thought I was on top of the world. And I was—until two months later, when you walked on the court in Miami in your red sleeveless shirt, showing off those biceps, and you beat me convincingly. All that buzz I’d been hearing about you—about this amazing young player from Mallorca, a generational talent, probably going to win a major someday—it wasn’t just hype.

We were both at the start of our journey and it’s one we ended up taking together. Twenty years later, Rafa, I have to say: What an incredible run you’ve had. Including 14 French Opens—historic! You made Spain proud... you made the whole tennis world proud.

I keep thinking about the memories we’ve shared. Promoting the sport together. Playing that match on half-grass, half-clay. Breaking the all-time attendance record by playing in front of more than 50,000 fans in Cape Town, South Africa. Always cracking each other up. Wearing each other out on the court and then, sometimes, almost literally having to hold each other up during trophy ceremonies.

I’m still grateful you invited me to Mallorca to help launch the Rafa Nadal Academy in 2016. Actually, I kind of invited myself. I knew you were too polite to insist on me being there, but I didn’t want to miss it. You have always been a role model for kids around the world, and Mirka and I are so glad that our children have all trained at your academies. They had a blast and learned so much—like thousands of other young players. Although I always worried my kids would come home playing tennis as lefties.

And then there was London—the Laver Cup in 2022. My final match. It meant everything to me that you were there by my side—not as my rival but as my doubles partner. Sharing the court with you that night, and sharing those tears, will forever be one of the most special moments of my career.

Rafa, I know you’re focused on the last stretch of your epic career. We will talk when it’s done. For now, I just want to congratulate your family and team, who all played a massive role in your success. And I want you to know that your old friend is always cheering for you, and will be cheering just as loud for everything you do next.

Rafa that!

Best always, your fan, 

Roger

[Ryan Leister @MrRyanLeister]

#wwfc | #VAR stinker part 4

In 11 Premier League games so far this season Wolves have had 4 correctable decisions go against them where #VAR should have intervened.

So in 36% of games so far, Wolves have been significantly shortchanged, to put it politely.

I’ve been very much pro VAR & I maintain that the technology is good, but we have an enormous problem with those using it.

If I was a custodian at Wolves I’d be going down the legal route now .

[Olivia Buzaglo @OliviaBuzaglo]

I actually feel for Wolves. How can these decisions go against them every single week?

Never ever a penalty vs Sheffield United. I’ve genuinely got no idea how Gary O’Neil hasn’t lost the absolute plot at this point 😩 #WWFC

[Ricky Gervais @rickygervais]

The worst thing about being famous is the lack of privacy. I can’t even walk down the street without people looking and pointing.

[. @TeaBeatsCoffee]

@Wolves @LFC How does anyone think Collins is better than Coady 🤦‍♂️

[Ben Kelly @bkelly776]

If you can’t see how badly England were losing the midfield battles, and why Jordan Henderson might help with that, then football might honestly not be for you.

Solid cameo from him. England looked better when he was on.

[Piers Morgan @piersmorgan]

Outrageously disrespectful to Qatar that the BBC didn’t broadcast the World Cup opening ceremony, and instead put out more virtue-signalling guff about how awful it is. If they’re that appalled, they should bring home their vast army of employees & spare us this absurd hypocrisy.

[Rafa Nadal @RafaelNadal]

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.
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 👇🏻

[. @TeaBeatsCoffee]

VAR is genuinely making football unbearable

[Samuel Luckhurst @samuelluckhurst]

By the Premier League’s abysmal refereeing standards, disallowing that Cornet goal is a new low in the VAR era. Would be a travesty if there’s an English referee at the World Cup. #MOTD

[Declan Rice @_DeclanRice]

That’s up there with one of the worst VAR decisions made since it’s come into the game. Shambles 😂

[Septimus Prime @septimusajprime]

I’m seeing people making excuses for Mason Greenwood like ‘it’s been a tough season’ ??? Are you on crack? When is physical abuse ever okay?

[. @TeaBeatsCoffee]

Nadal is the greatest mental athlete in the world. Convince me otherwise #tennis #Nadal

[. @TeaBeatsCoffee]

Well that was fucking mental #LARvsTB

[. @TeaBeatsCoffee]

Calvert-Lewin with the worst suit I've ever seen

[. @TeaBeatsCoffee]

Squid game is fucking awful. What's everyone been smoking 😂

[. @TeaBeatsCoffee]

Five missed game winning field goals. Unreal. #Packers #Bengals

[. @TeaBeatsCoffee]

If you're panic buying petrol, filling up jerrycans etc, you're a fucking donkey

[Football on TNT Sports @footballontnt]

It's time to find out who Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, and Man Utd will face in the Champions League this season 🙌

Watch the #UCL Group Stage draw LIVE 🏆 https://t.co/HNinpfqGxN