Nicolai Redfern

Technology | Media | Tennis

[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

[Nike @Nike]

Thank you for giving everything, @RafaelNadal.

[Wimbledon @Wimbledon]

The moment 🌟

#Wimbledon | @carlosalcaraz

[Nicolai Redfern @rednick]

Vamos Carlitos!!!!!

[Matt Zemek @mzemek]

The Boy King. #Wimbledon

[José Morgado @josemorgado]

MASTERS CHAMP AND TOP 10!

19yo Holger Rune completes an unbelievable week in Paris-Bercy, beating 6 times champ Novak Djokovic 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 to win his first Masters 1000 title.

He is the first player to beat 5(!) top 10 players in a regular tour event.

Up to #10 tomorrow.

[Roland-Garros @rolandgarros]

Rafa-Garros 🇪🇸🏆

[Casper Ruud @CasperRuud98]

🐐

[Ben Rothenberg @BenRothenberg]

Roger Federer gracious as Rafael Nadal passes him in the Grand Slam count for the first time in their careers.

#AusOpen

[#AusOpen @AustralianOpen]

All of us after that match 😅

You've earned it, @RafaelNadal

#AusOpen • #AO2022

[Pat Cash @TheRealPatCash]

Unbelievable! @RafaelNadal takes his 4th #USOpen title and his 19th Grand Slam!

🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

The man is a force of nature on the court!

[Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 @christophclarey]

Rafael Nadal wins his 4th US Open title and 19th Grand Slam singles title with an exhausting, thrilling 7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6 6-4 victory over Daniil Medvedev in four hours and 51 minutes. I think we all have just enough energy for one more standing ovation. They deserve it.

[Rafa Nadal @RafaelNadal]

Merci @rolandgarros for this amazing experience. 12!! Still can't believe it

[US Open Tennis @usopen]

🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

@RafaelNadal | #RG19

[Nicolai Redfern @rednick]

@Ataraxis00 ❤️

[Nicolai Redfern @rednick]

Vamos Rafa!

[Trenton Jocz @TrentonJocz]

Massive records for Rafael Nadal with 9th Rome 🏆:
-Most consecutive years with an ATP title (breaks tie w/Federer)
-Record 20th win vs ATP World #1 (breaks tie w/Becker)
-Record 34th Masters
-First to win 25 Masters on one surface
-Oldest men's Rome champ in Open Era (was Laver)

[LEGO @LEGO_Group]

We’ve built the impossible: a full-sized LEGO Technic @Bugatti Chiron …and it drives! #BuildforReal

[Nicolai Redfern @rednick]

@RashmiK01 Srsly, thank you! Epic thread and fantastic memories ❤️

[Brad Gilbert @bgtennisnation]

Congratulations 🎈🎉🍾 to Vamos-Rafa @RafaelNadal on your absolutely astounding 11th @rolandgarros 17th slam of your career standing ovation 👏 to your genius work the last 15 days 👊💪👍😎🎾

[Matt Zemek @mzemek]

Male major-tournament singles champions the past 21 months, in order:

Roger Federer

Rafael Nadal

Roger Federer

Rafael Nadal

Roger Federer

Rafael Nadal

Is there some sort of trend or something at work here?

#AccentRG

#RG18
#RolandGarros

[Nicolai Redfern @rednick]

@Ataraxis00 Could not agree more