Rafael Nadal added another prestigioushonor to his already legendary CV, receiving the AS Award in Madrid on December 1. The night also revived one of the sport's most anticipated ideas - a global exhibition tour with Roger Federer.
Their rivalry defined an era, but their friendship - strengthened over the years, including Federer's frequent visits to Mallorca - now fuels hopes for a reunion on court. The tennis court, to be precise, as they already hit the golf course.
Rafa did not shy away from the topic. The 22-time Major winner acknowledged that both icons want the project to happen and have already discussed it. Still, the King of clay admitted the timing is not right yet.
The Spaniard retired in November last year and stayed away from the court for 12 months. He has only just stepped back onto the court for two light training sessions with a pair of young WTA talents at home in Mallorca.
The competitive fire remains, especially with Roger across the net, but the precision and physical preparation such an exhibition would require are still a work in progress for the ultimate tennis warrior.
Nadal made it clear he needs space to rebuild a rhythm before committing to any schedule. As always, it's an honest reflection of his evolution from champion athlete to fiercely dedicated ambassador of the sport.
His latest award serves as a reminder of the respect he commands and the affection that continues to surrender one of the greatest players of all time. Nadal and Federer teaming up on a worldwide tour may not be imminent.
However, the bond between them leaves fans confident that when it finally arrives, it will be worth every moment of the wait. Rafa and Roger met 40 times between 2004 and 2019.
While the Spaniard dominated the opening decade of their rivalry, the Swiss bounced back after 2014 and collected seven triumphs in their final eight encounters.
"If Roger and I decide to start an exhibition tour, I will need time to prepare. I have been out of the court for a year, and I need some time to prepare. Something will happen in the future, and we have already spoken about it briefly," Rafael Nadal said.
