If this record is going to fall sooner or later, I just want to lose to him. ——Nadal 4:02 Accompanying you through the long years - Eason Chan from Fu Kicki Not everyone is lucky enough to witness history. This may be the last time the two legendary players meet in a Grand Slam f

If this record is going to fall sooner or later, I just want to lose to him. ——Nadal

4:02 Spend a long time with you - Eason Chan from Fu Kick

Not everyone is lucky enough to witness history. This may be the last time the two legendary players meet in a Grand Slam final.

January 29, 2017, Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Australia. 36 years old vs. 31 years old, No. 17 seed vs. No. 9 seed, the two most legendary current tennis players, Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal, ushered in a long-lost match when no one was optimistic about it. Peak showdown.

Eight years passed in a blink of an eye. In 2009, it was also this venue and the final. Nadal fought hard in five sets and defeated Federer 3-2. That time, Federer shed tears of disappointment like a child.

Today, Nadal's hair is gradually thinning, and Federer needs to go through a medical timeout to massage his thigh muscles. However, the two heroes in the late stages of their careers still fight for every ball and fight until the last second. The difference is that this time, Federer had the last laugh and won his 18th Grand Slam trophy.

You must know that since 2011, Federer has never entered the finals of any Australian Open he has participated in. The last time two veterans over 30 years old competed for a Grand Slam was back in 2002 at the US Open, where Sampras faced Agassi.

If it is just like this, it is not exciting enough. When giving awards after the game, Federer said of his old rival: "I'm happy to see Rafa come back. I don't think anyone believed that we would meet in the final here. I would also happily accept a loss. There are no draws in tennis, but if If there is a draw, I will share (this championship) with Rafa tonight. Please keep playing, Rafa, tennis needs you."

The game went into the fourth set, when Nadal hit a good ball and saved the serve. During the set, Federer even slapped his racket with his hand to applaud his opponent.

In the field of competitive sports, it is rare for a pair of old enemies to sincerely cheer for their opponent beyond the words on the scene. But Federer and Nadal did.

Without Federer, Nadal may win more championships, but the gold content of the championship may not be higher than it is today. Without Nadal, Federer's record 18 Grand Slams would be eclipsed. Competitive sports is of course a game of the strong, but just like Messi needs Ronaldo, Jordan needs Malone, Lin Dan needs Lee Chong Wei, Federer needs Nadal.

How lonely it is to be invincible, because of you, I am who I am now. The first intersection of

history occurred in Miami in 2004. Nadal won 6:3 twice. At the French Open the following year, Nadal defeated Federer and was crowned king of clay. In a total of 35 encounters, Nadal maintained a good record of 23 wins and 12 losses, and was the biggest sufferer of the Swiss champion.

But Federer and Nadal are at the top of the tennis world, looking forward to the championship, and enjoy the sympathy that transcends the rivalry.

Nadal said: "I admire Federer from the bottom of my heart because he has had incredible achievements in the past twelve years. He is the greatest player in history." When his 81-game winning streak on clay courts was ended, Nadal said that if This record will come to an end sooner or later. "I just want to lose to him."

Federer also said frankly: "I have never seen anyone as crazy as Nadal. He is an opponent I deserve to respect for life." At the opening of the Nadal Tennis School During the ceremony, Federer said to Nadal: "You are the person who has the most influence and inspiration on my tennis career. Because of you, I have re-adjusted and invented many playing styles to fight."

On the court, they must compete for every ball. Off the court, they support each other.

In 2010, Federer held a "Fight for Africa" ​​charity exhibition match in Zurich, Switzerland, and invited Nadal to participate, and Nadal immediately agreed. To express his gratitude, Federer personally drove to the airport to pick up Nadal and had lunch with his friends.

While first-class players are still striving to be invincible, super-class geniuses are already pursuing deeper meanings. They meet opponents, friends, better selves, fight with life, and fight with fate.How lonely it would be if you lacked someone who was connected to you.

In last year's Olympic Games, Lin Dan eliminated Li Zongwei in the semi-finals. Kick Kick wrote:

At the beginning, they clamped down on each other. In the end, they complete each other. Under the premise that there is only one champion, only by chasing each other can we create a golden era of mutual benefit. In this sense, the sympathy between Lin Dan and Lee Chong Wei is worthy of every fan’s sincere gratitude.

The same goes for Federer and Nadal. This is why, when both sides make more unforced errors and repeatedly miss opportunities, the audience will cheer for them. Every time he hit a good shot, a large number of spectators stood up and applauded. Although each has his supporters, whoever wins or loses between Federer and Nadal does not affect each other's greatness.

After the famous cry in 2009, Federer often regretted, "After losing the championship, I thought I would walk out of the court and cry again, because this is Nadal's moment, and I shouldn't steal his limelight."

Today, Federer once again Moved to tears. In fact, we are more likely to cry. Watching the two players go from young teenagers to struggling, from high-spirited to old men, every ball they hit seemed like one was missing. Every second passed, not only their years, but also our youth.

In Wong Kar-wai's "The Grandmaster", Gong Er bid farewell to Ip Man. Even though she was burdened with a family, she always exercised restraint. At the end of the day, she still said this: "I met you at the best time. It was my luck." And if you never forget it, there will be repercussions. Except for Federer and Nadal, And everyone who is lucky enough to witness it.

I hope that each of us can meet that lifelong opponent like Federer and Nadal on the road to growth.

Assisted in editing: cecilia

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