Simon Sälgfors

Ousma

[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

[Rafa Nadal @RafaelNadal]

Mil gracias a todos
Many thanks to all
Merci beaucoup à tous
Grazie mille à tutti
谢谢大家
شكرا لكم جميعا
תודה לכולכם
Obrigado a todos
Vielen Dank euch allen
Tack alla
Хвала свима
Gràcies a tots

[Simon Sälgfors @salgis19]

@cebbeperez

[Simon Sälgfors @salgis19]

@Vinnekaukinen @DeadlineDayLive @burnleyfc @BarrdahlDavid @TBrithen @QvarfordtKasper @robinpagoldh

[Ryder Cup Europe @RyderCupEurope]

Turn Pro in June ✅
Ryder Cup debut in September ✅

Welcome to #TeamEurope, Ludvig.

[Simon Sälgfors @salgis19]

@SebMattsPL Nämen där dyker ju Qvarford upp igen! @TBrithen @BarrdahlDavid @Vinnekaukinen @QvarfordtKasper

[Simon Sälgfors @salgis19]

@TBrithen Hallå Junior-Qvarford!

[Simon Sälgfors @salgis19]

@TBrithen @lovabajen Hallå Qvarford!

[Simon Sälgfors @salgis19]

@cebbeperez @HAIF @FBCLerum Otäck han blir i Allsvenskan, Qvarford!

[Simon Sälgfors @salgis19]

@olof_strandberg Shit nr 6 vem är det!? Han är ju helt sjuk bra!

[Melvin Folke @melvin_folke]

@NoahAle25846302 Hallå qvaford

[Las Peras @LasPeras_]

Las Peras tar hem Tips-SM 2023!

Läs mer om hur de fem vännerna från Nueva Estoccolmo förvandlades till mästertippare nedan.

Vi ses igen 2024, nu drar vi till Rio!

#lasperas #tipssm #campiones #nuevaestoccolmo #rattarattaraa

[Simon Sälgfors @salgis19]

@gurkan21jeppe Ge os en uppdaterad lista!

[The Upshot podcast @UpshotTowers]

You all know the legend of Italian nutcase Mario Balotelli. From lobbing darts at teammates to burning his own house down, the striker wreaks havoc wherever he goes.

But you haven't heard it all.

Buckle in for a full, manic rundown of Mario's truly chaotic career...

[City Xtra @City_Xtra]

Erling Haaland: "I think I will [take up farming when I retire], yeah. Just a couple [of cows]." [via @premierleague]

[Simon Sälgfors @salgis19]

@hermanssonarvid

[Simon Sälgfors @salgis19]

@LasPeras_ Trötta Las Peras!

[Las Peras @LasPeras_]

V.Kaukinen hälsar från badrummet efter sammanlagt 9 rätt på två omgångar! #lasperas

[Simon Sälgfors @salgis19]

@BarrdahlDavid @LasPeras_ #hattmakarna

[Las Peras @LasPeras_]

En utav päronen som får MINST 13 rätt idag! 🍐