Federer and Nadal hit the peaks to debate their unbelievable rivalry, relationship and legacy

Now, in a particular interview as a part of Louis Vuitton’s Core Values marketing campaign – set within the Italian Dolomites and photographed by the legendary photographer Annie Liebovitz – Federer and Nadal reveal what they considered one another after they first met; what they’re most happy with about their careers, what made them each nice and the way they wish to be remembered.

First time they met

Nadal mentioned he remembered assembly Federer for the primary time, in 2003 at Wimbledon, the 12 months Federer gained the title for the primary time, his first slam victory.

“You had been somewhat bit smug,” Nadal mentioned, instantly breaking into fun. “No, no, come on, actually, you’re at all times tremendous good. I used to be simply arriving on the Tour, a junior so I used to be tremendous shy to speak to you. However you had been very good.

Federer mentioned he remembered seeing Nadal play for the primary time earlier that very same 12 months in Monte-Carlo. “He was super-young, so good,” Federer mentioned. “In fact, we had been all considering, right here’s one other Spaniard, one other clay-courter, dirt-baller, future high tenner, possibly most likely much more. He achieved the whole lot. For me, I feel the actually, actually particular second was after I was world No 1 and I performed you in Miami (2004) and he truly beat me.

“That first match will at all times be very significant, although I misplaced it. Rafa, together with his enjoying model and his kind of perspective on court docket at such a younger younger age, was not like all people else, you may really feel that it was one thing particular coming for certain.”

Secret to their success: GOOD TEAM AROUND THEM

Federer and Nadal got here from totally different backgrounds however when requested what helped them to get to the place they did, each mentioned an identical factor.

“I had an excellent workforce round me, that helps, an excellent household,” Nadal mentioned. “For the reason that starting, I obtained most likely the proper values to continue to grow. And I actually imagine that, for me, a very powerful factor in my profession is I had the eagerness to maintain enhancing on a regular basis, at all times attempt to discover new issues to get higher and higher. I feel that makes the distinction between very high gamers and different superb ones.

“For me, personally, I’ll say simply apply with the proper perspective, with the proper spirit. Take heed to the folks subsequent to you. Be humble sufficient to maintain listening to folks even in case you are having success. You may have errors…however you must study by your self, I feel (there are) a few couple of issues that no one can inform you.”

Federer agreed, stressing the significance of really taking up board the issues that these folks closest to him was in his growth.

“Take suggestions, not in a private approach,” he mentioned. “The folks which might be round you, mother and father, coaches, and so forth, health, physios, all of them need the most effective for you they usually have normally the most effective intentions. I do know typically it appears to be like fairly vital. And whenever you’re younger, you don’t need to hear it since you need to hear that you just’re the most effective and also you’re going to be world No 1, however sadly it’s not like that. It’s a really positive line between truly being assured and believing you’re going to do it, to, I’m not superb, as a result of all people tells me you’re not so good, you understand.”

Legacy: To be remembered pretty much as good human beings

For all their unbelievable success on the court docket, each males mentioned they needed to be remembered extra for the best way they performed themselves on and off the court docket, as for his or her achievements, though when pushed, Federer mentioned he rated being world No 1 his greatest achievement and Nadal his 14 Roland-Garros wins.

However for each, their interactions with everybody across the sport meant as a lot, if no more, than the trophies they collected on the best way.

“What actually will make me really feel actually proud and happiest after I go away this world (of tennis) is that if the event administrators, the individuals who labored on the event, workers, ATP, speak about who I used to be and who I’m as an individual greater than as a tennis participant,” Nadal mentioned.

“We’ve the titles, we’ve the achievements and that’s what it’s. I achieved greater than what I ever dreamed about. For me, the legacy when it comes to human being, for me, after attaining all of the issues that we achieved, I feel, for me is a very powerful factor, indisputably.”

Federer mentioned he hoped to be remembered for a wide range of issues.

“I hope if I’m remembered, not solely as a tennis participant, but additionally because the particular person behind, what I gave to the sport and what I represented to the sport and fewer about all my Wimbledon victories or no matter, which means so much to me,” he mentioned. “I feel if I may be remembered extra additionally because the character different than simply the participant, that’d be nice. And a very good function mannequin for youths, that will make me joyful too.

“And it could be good, you understand, like Rafa mentioned, if individuals are joyful to see us once more. Not, ‘oh no, that man once more? No. Hopefully that’s the case.”