Rafa Nadal on Roger Federer Rematch in 2026

By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, December 3, 2025Photo credit score: Rafa Nadal Academy

Champions come and go.

Legends stay eternally.

Lengthy-time rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have each prompt they might resume their rivalry with charity exhibition matches, maybe as early as 2026.

So who will prevail if Fedal reignite their riveting rivalry?

The King of Clay was requested that query in a brand new interview with AS.com’s Susana Guasch after receiving the AS Legend Award 2025.

A humble Nadal didn’t hesitate in his response.

“Actually, him. He’s been coaching longer than I’ve,” Nadal advised AS.com of Federer. “I feel he has one thing for January, so he has been getting ready for a while.

“I already advised him within the final dialog we had, that if we now have to do one thing, he ought to let me know a bit little bit of time. Don’t make me make a idiot of myself on the [court]. If in some unspecified time in the future the chance arises, let it [please] us each, one thing good.”

Talking to CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin in September, Federer was requested concerning the prospect of reviving the senior tour.

Twenty-time Grand Slam champion Federer delivered an intriguing response, particularly saying “perhaps we will create a Fedal Tour.”

The 44-year-old Federer, who appears extraordinarily match, says he’s been taking part in tennis pretty continuously and would like to reunite with previous rival Rafa.

“Why not? I like Rafa,” Federer advised CNBC. “I performed 4 hours of tennis the opposite day in LA—right here in San Francisco, sorry—after which in LA additionally one other hour and a half. So earlier than that I’ve been taking part in quite a bit. 

“I’ve been attempting to maintain in fine condition. And I do know that Rafa is completely open to perhaps taking part in some tennis. It sounds horrible, seniors tennis, to us however perhaps we will create a tour like a Fedal Tour or one thing like that. I imply it might be cool.”

Maybe we may see Roger and Rafa reunite in Newport, Rhode Island on the historic garden court docket forward of the Swiss Maestro’s 2026 induction into the Worldwide Tennis Corridor of Fame.

Nadal, who just lately hit with Rafa Nadal Academy graduate Alexandra Eala in Mallorca, stated he’ll want a while to organize however prompt a Fedal exhibition “will come out” in some unspecified time in the future.

“You by no means know. I’ve an excellent relationship with Roger, we discuss usually,” Nadal stated. “I feel that in some unspecified time in the future one thing will come out.

“He’s been out longer and I, in a yr, have actually performed 45 minutes at some point and 45 minutes one other, to be trustworthy. To get again on a [court] and never be a horror, I would wish a bit time.”

A father of two sons, three-year-old Rafa Jr., and three-month-old Miguel, Rafa Nadal was requested if he may envision himself serving as a future “Toni Nadal” teaching his youngsters in sport.

“Man, there is just one Toni. There can’t be two,” Rafa Nadal advised AS.com with fun. “I don’t even give it some thought, actually. I need them to do what they need. With the infant, who’s three months previous, I attempt completely nothing. Simply take a look at how he does what he can, mainly…

“As a baby, I used to be fortunate sufficient to develop up in an athletic household setting. My uncle was a footballer and my father, being the least sporty within the household, I feel he’s probably the most keen on sports activities typically. He lived in a really sporty setting. Sport itself has the capability to coach, to develop in some ways. That’s why I would love my youngsters to play sports activities. The oldest is three years previous and I’ve him operating all day. In the event that they want me tomorrow, I hope to be there.”