Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal reunited on Thursday (July 17) at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, marking another moment of connection between the two tennis legends. Nadal shared images of their meeting on Instagram, showing the longtime rivals and friends enjoying time together at the facility.
“Really enjoyed our morning together at @rafanadalacademy,” Nadal captioned the post, which included photos of the pair near the courts and inside the training complex. The post quickly gained traction among fans celebrating the reunion.
Meanwhile, other two videos were shared on social media. In one, Federer and Nadal are seen walking together along the edge of a practice court. In another, the two are engaged in conversation, with Federer’s wife, Mirka, also there.
Federer has maintained a long-standing relationship with the academy. He attended its inauguration in 2016 and later returned for the 2020 graduation ceremony, where he delivered a speech alongside Maria Sharapova.
This marks the second time in recent months that the two have shared time publicly. In June, Federer joined Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray for a tribute to the Spaniard at Roland Garros. The event honored Nadal’s storied career at the tournament with a new plaque at the Philippe Chatrier court.
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Federer and Nadal: An iconic rivalry
Federer and Nadal’s rivalry spanned more than a decade, dominating the ATP Tour from 2005 to 2009, when they held the No. 1 and No. 2 rankings. Between them, they closed out six straight years atop the world rankings before Novak Djokovic emerged.
Their head-to-head record stands at 24–16 in Nadal’s favor, with the Spaniard also leading 10–4 in Grand Slam meetings. Through years of high-stakes battles, the duo built one of the sport’s most memorable rivalries.
Federer, who retired from professional tennis at the 2022 Laver Cup after playing his final doubles match alongside Nadal, has stayed active in the tennis world. He was seen at Wimbledon earlier this month. Meanwhile, Nadal stepped away from the sport in November 2023, ending his professional career at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, where he represented Spain one last time.
