Tennis great Roger Federer hailed his former rival Rafael Nadal in an emotional letter ahead of the Spaniard's imminent retirement from tennis at the Davis Cup, celebrating his “epic” career.“What an incredible run you’ve had.

Roger Federer has penned an emotional tribute to Rafael Nadal, joking that he ‘secretly loved’ his long-time rival’s rituals including ‘assembling water bottles like soldiers’ and adjusting his underwear.

Tennis legend Roger Federer, on Tuesday, penned an emotional note for Rafale Nadal, who will be retiring after the Davis Cup Finals this week. The Spanish star will compete today in a match against Netherlands which begins at 9:30 pm IST.

Roger Federer paid tribute to his retiring rival Rafa Nadal on Tuesday, telling the Spaniard he challenged him like no other player and that he had made the tennis world proud during a glittering career lasting over two decades.

On clay, it felt like I was stepping into your backyard,' Roger Federer wrote, paying tribute to Rafael Nadal's 'epic career'

Roger Federer pours his heart out for retiring Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard will play his last tournament as a professional tennis player in the Davis Cup Finals between November 19 and 24.

The Swiss Maestro shares beautiful words for his Spanish friend and rival, who will retire this week at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga

Federer and Nadal forged the most celebrated rivalry in sports history, amassing a staggering 42 Grand Slam titles between them. While Federer has a record eight Wimbledon titles on grass, Nadal has an incredible 14 French Open titles on clay, which has also earned him the nickname 'King of Clay', a record that may never be broken.

"You made Spain proud... you made the whole tennis world proud", says Roger Federer to Nadal, two years after his own retirement.

Roger Federer says Rafael Nadal "made the whole tennis world proud" during his "epic career" before the Spaniard's retirement.

Roger Federer paid tribute to his retiring rival Rafa Nadal on Tuesday, telling the Spaniard he challenged him like no other player and that he had made the tennis world proud during a glittering career lasting over two decades.