Throughout their legendary rivalry, Federer and Nadal have engaged in 40 epic battles on the tennis court. This includes 14 encounters on the biggest stages at Grand Slams. However, one void in their hallowed duels exists. They have never crossed paths at the US Open. This major event has somehow eluded a potential blockbuster showdown despite winning a combined 9 US Open titles among themselves.
There are six instances in which this tantalizing prospect of a ‘Fedal’ match at Flushing Meadows came heartbreakingly close to realization. In the years 2008 and 2009, Nadal found himself in a position to create this momentous clash. Federer’s dominance at the US Open, securing five consecutive titles from 2004 to 2008, posed an imposing challenge.
But In 2008, Nadal was halted by Andy Murray in the semifinals, just a step away from facing Federer. Similarly, in 2009, Juan Martin del Potro thwarted the much-anticipated encounter, preventing the former from a potential showdown with his rival. Federer’s turn of luck came in subsequent years.
Federer’s resurgence at US Open was halted, preventing him from meeting Nadal
In 2010 and 2011, he was primed for a face-off against Nadal, but Novak Djokovic emerged as a formidable contender. Despite Federer’s match points in both years, Djokovic dashed his hopes, resulting in missed chances for an epic final between the two legends. 2013 witnessed another near-miss when Federer was upstaged by Tommy Robredo, denying him a rendezvous with Nadal.
Even in 2017, as Federer experienced a late-career resurgence, Juan Martin del Potro halted his progress in the quarterfinals, thwarting the opportunity for a long-awaited clash. The reasons behind this uncanny avoidance are baffling. The timing and scenarios in their careers tangled with unforeseen circumstances, robbing fans of a marquee encounter.
It captures the essence of the unpredictable nature of sports, leaving the fans wondering about the possibilities of this iconic matchup. The tantalizing prospect of a ‘Fedal’ match on the grand stage of New York’s Arthur Ashe Stadium remains an unrealized dream, leaving ‘Fedal’ fans to ponder the intricacies of fate that have kept this spectacular face-off just beyond reach.
When ‘Fedal’ fans witnessed the last Grand Slam encounter between Federer and Nadal
The 2019 Wimbledon clash between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal stood as a pivotal moment in their illustrious rivalry. In a fitting finale, the match was the last of their epic 40 career encounters, a blockbuster rivalry that had captured the imagination of the ‘Fedal’ fans. Of these, 14 took place in Majors, with the iconic 2008 Wimbledon final etched in history as the greatest match in the open era.
Federer had made a stunning comeback in their intriguing rivalry securing wins in their recent six meetings. Adjustments had been made to their playing styles, particularly evident in Federer’s strategic use of a larger racquet face and a reinforced backhand. Nadal, on the other hand, showcased an evolved approach with a stronger net game complementing his baseline prowess.
The first set unveiled dominant serves, culminating in a tense tiebreaker, won by Federer 7-6. The second set showcased Nadal’s prowess as he exploited Federer’s errors, clinching it 6-1. Yet, Federer’s resurgence in the third set, taking it 6-3, highlighted his mental fortitude and adaptability. The final fourth set saw an unexpected stability in Federer’s groundstrokes, leading to a 6-4 victory.
Federer and Nadal’s Grand Slam encounters have long etched their names in tennis folklore. They met 14 times in Grand Slam matches which included 9 championship matches. Federer’s greatest rival Nadal had a winning edge in both – 10:4 and 6:3 respectively. Nadal led 6:0 at the French Open and 3:1 at the Australian Open, while Federer led 3–1 at Wimbledon, and they never met at the US Open!