Roger Federer Admits Rafael Nadal’s ‘Wicked’ Forehand Does Not Haunt Him

Roger Federer may be retired from professional tennis, but his presence in the sport remains as strong as ever. The Swiss icon was recently spotted on the golf course with ATP stars Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz, as part of his promotional tour for the upcoming Laver Cup, set to take place in San Francisco from September 19–21.

In a candid interview with Inside Tennis during his promotional activities, Federer opened up about his storied rivalry with Rafael Nadal — a duel that defined an era of men’s tennis. While many remember how Nadal’s heavy topspin forehand often troubled Federer’s single-handed backhand, the 20-time Grand Slam champion revealed that he has come to view those moments in a positive light.

“No, not at all. I’ve been very good at moving forward and not dwelling on the past,” Federer said when asked if he still recalls those dreaded matchups against Nadal. “It was a great challenge in my life to understand his wicked forehand spin to my backhand. But rather than it being a nightmare, I’ve taken it as a very positive thing in my career.”