Falling Stars

Roger Federer announces retirement from tennis

It's not like people haven't been predicting this for years - for the last decade even - but it feels strange now that the moment is finally here.

The 2009 Australian Open final was what got me back into following the tennis and joining its fandom. I never would have imagined that we would be lucky enough to get so many more years of his incredible tennis, including that marvellous revival in 2017, when Roger and Rafa came back from the wilderness and split the grand slams between them.

I'm sure the coming days will bring many retrospectives on and tributes to Roger Federer and his achievements and legacy. But in his own words:

"The last 24 years on tour have been an incredible adventure," he wrote.

"While it sometimes feels like it went by in 24 hours, it has also been so deep and magical that it seems as if I've already lived a full lifetime.

"I have laughed and cried, felt joy and pain, and most of all I have felt incredibly alive.

"I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart, to everyone around the world who has help make the dreams of a young Swiss ball kid come true."

Rafael Nadal wins record 21st major with five-set defeat of Daniil Medvedev in Australian Open final

2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5.

Thirteen years after his last victory here. Coming back from two sets down. To achieve a record 21 grand slams.

It's so strange to think about everything that's happened between then and now - the things that have changed, and the things that have endured.

Posted 7 June 2010:

\^O^/

Nadal claims fifth French crown

"I played my best match against you," an emotional Nadal told Soderling during the trophy ceremony. "If not, it's going to be impossible to beat you."

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That was the headline ten years ago.

This is the headline from yesterday:

French Open: Rafael Nadal beats Novak Djokovic to win 13th Roland Garros title

Rafael Nadal produced one of his finest French Open displays to stun Novak Djokovic and equal Roger Federer's record of 20 Grand Slam men's titles. Spanish second seed Nadal outclassed world number one Djokovic in a 6-0 6-2 7-5 win, which clinched a record-extending 13th title at Roland Garros.

Ten years is a long time in tennis. To still be playing at that level, winning grand slams, and setting new records, is just mindblowing.

THIRTEEN FRENCH OPEN TITLES.

I can't even.

Still one of my favourite quotes about the French Open: "Of course, Rafa does have an advantage over all his competitors in that he doesn't have to beat himself on the way to the title."

Sweet revenge: Federer stops Nadal in Wimbledon thriller

7-6 (7-3), 1-6, 6-3, 6-3.

Eleven years on from their last encounter at Wimbledon, they still have the stamina for big matches, but alas, I no longer have the same stamina for late nights. When the semifinal started at 1:30am, I was already tired. After one set and one hour, no matter how brilliant the play, I was off to bed.

Rafael Nadal clinches 12th French Open over Austrian Dominic Thiem in four sets

6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1.

"It's incredible. I can't explain the feeling," Nadal told the crowd. "For me it was a dream to play here in 2005, and I could not imagine I would be back here in 2019."

Ten was a stunning achievement.

Eleven was almost unbelievable.

Twelve is just getting ridiculous.

Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal win at Roland Garros to set up epic French Open semi-final

"If you want to do or achieve something on the clay, inevitably, at some stage, you will go through Rafa, because he's that strong and he will be there," Federer said.

When I got into the RPF side of tennis fandom in 2009, people were writing futurefic. It was about when Roger or Rafa or both had retired, set a few years in the future - maybe 2011, maybe 2014.

Ten years later - TEN YEARS LATER - in 2019, they are still playing grand slams and even still winning and somehow this is real life.

Rafael Nadal continues his French Open domination, beating Dominic Thiem for 11th title

"It's not even a dream to win here 11 times, because it's impossible to think of something like this."

One of my favourite quotes about the French Open: "Of course, Rafa does have an advantage over all his competitors in that he doesn't have to beat himself on the way to the title."

(Federer and Nadal have divided the last six grand slams between them. Is it really 2018?)

Rafael Nadal wins US Open with straight-set win over Kevin Anderson

"It's just unbelievable what happened this year," said Nadal. "After a couple of years with some troubles, injuries, sometimes playing not good - since the beginning of the season it has been very, very emotional."

Nadal and Roger Federer have shared this year's Grand Slam titles: remarkable given that, last October, when Federer visited Nadal's academy in Mallorca, they were only fit enough to play soft tennis with the juniors.

They split the grand slams between them. Just like the old days all over again.

2017. What a year for tennis.

La Decima: Rafa immortalised at Roland-Garros

Rafael Nadal has won a magical 10th title at Roland-Garros with a stunning display against Stan Wawrinka, achieving 'La Decima' and reaffirming his status as the greatest clay-courter of all time.

"It's a feeling that's impossible to describe," Nadal said. "For me the nerves and the adrenaline I feel when I play on this court is impossible to compare to another court. It is the most important event in my career, to win again here is impossible to describe."

2017. Bringing all the tennis feelings.

My heart is just too full right now.

It was eight years ago that I got back into the tennis, after that legendary Australian Open final. That was during the golden age of Fedal rivalry, and I thought those glory days were behind us.

Never say never.