The bromance between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal was on display during an Instagram Live chat and I’m going to be honest with you, I’m totally down with that.
For the past 16 years, Federer and Nadal have battled it out on court in one of the most intense rivalries in the history of the sport. They’ve gone head to head 40 times – Nadal leading 24-16. They’ve taken the number 1 ranking off of each other numerous times, met in 9 grand slam finals, 12 ATP Masters deciders not to mention 10 semis and two quarterfinal showdowns, so to see the natural rapport between two of the game’s greatest competitors during a recent Instagram Live session felt like a gift from the Tennis Gods.
The Spaniard struggled at the beginning with trying to add Federer to the chat…
“I hope you guys are enjoying the Instagram Live. As you can see I am a disaster in everything but I’m trying hard” Nadal said.
I think it would be fair to say technology beat him 6-0 in the first set as Andy Murray couldn't help but troll him through the comment section serving up this brilliant ace.
“This is brilliant… he can win 52 French Opens, but not work Instagram”.
Eventually Rafa managed to bring in the Swiss Master who like the rest of us was in fits of laughter over the technological misfire.
“Are we in? Did we make it? My God I don’t know if it was you or me?” Federer said.
Nadal: “It’s for sure, myself”
The pair caught up on how they are and their families before Federer spoke about how rehab was going following knee surgery.
“I had a really good first six weeks, then things got a bit slower, now it’s good again. But I have plenty of time obviously. There’s no rush.”
“I’ve been hitting a bit against the wall, doing my rehab and my fitness. The good thing is that the second surgery is easier than the first. I don’t need to experience a third one though!”
Federer couldn’t help but tease Nadal who admitted he hasn’t hit a ball since practising at Indian Wells.
“Perfect! You won’t be able to play tennis anymore when you come back”
After ten minutes Feds had to say goodbye so Andy Murray subbed in.
Murray and Nadal will swap their racquets for PlayStation 4 controllers to compete in the Mutua Madrid Open Virtual Pro next week.
The Scot revealing, he had a crack at the game last night admitting he selected Rafa as his character to play against Federer on clay.
“I played last night and I chose to play as you on clay. We, so me and you, were playing unbelievably but after a set your guy was unbelievably tired – and I never say you get tired after a set”
German young gun Alexander Zverev is the latest big name to be announced to the line up.
The Madrid Open Virtual Pro will take place from April 27 to 30 with several more players still to be announced.