The Spanish Rafael Nadal joked today on the first anniversary of the inauguration of his tennis academy by assuring that he will not invite the Swiss Roger Federer again if he continues to play at the level he showed in 2017.
Nadal inaugurated his academy 365 days ago in a ceremony with Federer. Both were injured and closed their second consecutive season without winning a Grand Slam, which outlined a totally uncertain future. However, the Spanish and the Swiss recovered their best level and dominated the circuit this year as in their best times.
«I’m glad I was there a year ago with Rafa opening the academy. I think neither Nadal nor I thought we were going to have the year we are having, “said Federer in a video posted on Instagram. “It all started after the Academy, so I hope you invite me again … I’m waiting for the invitation.”
“You will always have the invitation on the table,” Nadal replied in the same social network. «It is your house, that of your children, that of your family, you are all very welcome. The only thing that cannot happen again is that after coming you play that well. If that happens again, I will not invite you again, “joked the 31-year-old Spaniard.
Nadal won the titles of Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid, Roland Garros, US Open and Beijing this year and in August he regained number one in the world ranking after raising his Grand Slam number to 16.
However, he lost the four duels he played against Federer, his historical rival and whom he always dominated. The 36-year-old Swiss lifted the titles of Australia, Indian Wells, Miami, Halle, Wimbledon and Shanghai.
Champion of 19 Grand Slam – more than anyone in history – Federer still has a chance to finish the year as number one. The Helvetian has 1,960 points less in the ranking than Nadal when there is a maximum of 3,000 at stake.