Tennis legend Roger Federer is open to the idea of coming out of retirement for one final exhibition match against Rafael Nadal, according to his agent, Tony Godsick.
Federer, 43, played his last professional match at the 2022 Laver Cup in London, and while he’s reportedly considering taking on a non-playing role, there’s speculation that he could return to the court for one last match, especially if the right opportunity arises.
Godsick mentioned that Federer might be tempted by the prospect of another showdown with Nadal. “We like to do big things,” he told *Marca*, referencing the massive 51,000-strong crowd that witnessed Federer and Nadal’s 2020 exhibition match in South Africa. Godsick also recalled past successful collaborations with Nadal’s agent, Carlos Costa, saying, “I have great memories. We did the half-grass, half-clay exhibition in Mallorca. Anything is possible in the future.”
Although Nadal, now 38, remains active on the ATP Tour, he has hinted several times that his retirement may not be far off. For two decades, Federer and Nadal, along with Novak Djokovic, dominated the tennis world as part of the “Big Three.” Their intense rivalry on the court has since evolved into a deep friendship. The pair even teamed up for a doubles match at the Laver Cup two years ago, an event founded by Federer and Godsick in 2017, modeled after golf’s Ryder Cup.
Godsick shared his vision for Federer and Nadal to eventually lead Team Europe at the Laver Cup once Nadal retires. “My dream is for Roger Federer to be captain and Rafael Nadal his assistant, and then for them to switch roles,” Godsick explained. “That way, they could stay involved in the sport for longer. Their on-court rivalry was remarkable, but their friendship off the court is even more special. They are a prime example that fierce competitors can still be great friends.”
