Roger Federer v Rafael Nadal: Epic rallies, matches, career stats, and H2H records of the greatest rivalry in tennis

The legendary duo have won 42 Grand Slam titles between them during their careers (Nadal 22, Federer 20) and have treated the world to 40 battles since their first meeting way back in 2004 when a 17-year-old Nadal won in straight sets.

Many of the encounters that followed were classics, including arguably the greatest match ever in the 2008 Wimbledon final, while their last also came on Centre Court in the 2019 semi-finals as Federer beat him for the 16th time.

During the peak era of their combined dominance of the men's game, they won 21 of the 24 Grand Slams played between 2005 and 2010, featuring a run of 11 consecutive titles (2005 French Open to the 2007 US Open) that was fittingly ended by a certain Novak Djokovic when claiming his maiden crown at the 2008 Australian Open.

Here we look at the key statistics between the pair down the years, as well as some clips from some of their most famous moments.

Nadal v Federer: Five classic matches

• Miami, 2005, F (outdoor hard) - Federer 2-6 6-7 7-6 6-3 6-1

Their second ever meeting gave us more than a glimpse of what kind of thrillers they'd be serving up in future years as Federer came from two sets down - and 4-1 in the third - to claim the Masters title in Miami. Although Nadal had yet to get off the mark for Grand Slam titles, he'd won their first battle at this venue 12 months earlier as a 17-year-old so Federer knew full well about the Spaniard's potential and abilities. So often the front runner in his matches, Federer had to show tremendous fighting spirit when the game looked dead and buried before soaring towards the finish line. This remarkably remained the only match Nadal had lost from two sets up until his 2015 US Open defeat to Fabio Fognini.

• Rome, 2006, F (outdoor clay) - Nadal 6-7 7-6 6-4 2-6 7-6

Arguably the greatest claycourt battle between these two great rivals came in the Eternal City rather than Roland Garros, although Federer couldn't quite prevent Nadal running out winner once again. It lasted more than five hours - but it kept an enthralled crowd on the edge of their seats. Federer looked as though he had the momentum when he took control in the fourth set and then went a break up in the decider only for Nadal to keep running and never give in. At 5-6 and 15-40 down he saved two match points before claiming the resultant tie-break to claim his 53rd victory in a row on the clay. His streak would finally stop at 81.

• Wimbledon, 2008, F (outdoor grass) - Nadal 6-4 6-4 6-7 6-7 9-7

For many tennis fans the world over, this is the greatest tennis match of all time. The quality reached an astounding peak in the fourth-set tie-break as Federer fought back from two sets down to level the match, saving two championship points in the process. Rain interrupted the decider and gave everyone a chance to catch their breath but after the players returned, Federer would finally crack in the 15th game. Nadal duly served out, clinching victory after four hours and 48 minutes of sensational tennis at 9.15pm.

• Australian Open, 2009, F (outdoor hard) - Nadal 7-5 3-6 7-6 3-6 6-2

Another Grand Slam final between the pair went the full distance and and challenged the epic Wimbledon clash in terms of quality, as the high-bouncing hardcourt allowed both players to show off their full array of shotmaking artistry. However, having twice fought back from a set down, Federer looked weary in the decider as Nadal took control, pushing on to add another notch to his tally of wins over Federer and saw him confirmed as the new king of the court.

• Australian Open, 2017, F (outdoor hard) - Federer 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 6-3

Four-and-a-half years had passed since his 17th title but he defied his six-month absence from the sport by stunning his arch rival Nadal in five captivating sets after three hours and 38 minutes inside Rod Laver Arena. Nadal twice came back from a set down, and then led by a break in the fifth, but Federer drew on all his powers of brilliance - in particular being very aggressive on his backhand - to win one of the most unpredictable finals in recent memory. The feat was made more remarkable by the fact Federer took the second half of 2016 off to recover from injury.

Overall head-to-head record (Nadal first)

Match-by-match results further down

• Overall: 24-16 (Finals: 14-10)
• Grand Slams: 10-4 (Finals: 6-3)
• Australian Open: 3-1 (Finals: 1-1)
• French Open: 6-0 (Finals: 4-0)
• Wimbledon: 1-3 (Finals: 1-2)
• US Open: 0-0
• On hardcourts: 9-11
• On grass: 1-3
• On clay: 14-2

Nadal v Federer: Full past results

• 2019: Wimbledon (Grand Slam), Outdoor grass
  Federer bt Nadal 7-6 (7/3) 1-6 6-3 6-4 (SF)
• 2019: French Open (Grand Slam), Outdoor Clay
  Nadal bt Federer 6-4 6-3 6-2 (SF)

• 2019: Indian Wells (Masters 1000), Outdoor Hard
  Federer walkover (SF)
• 2017: Shanghai (Masters 1000), Outdoor Hard
  Federer bt Nadal 6-4 6-3 (Final)
• 2017: Miami (Masters 1000), Outdoor Hard
  Federer bt Nadal 6-3 6-4 (Final)
• 2017: Indian Wells (Masters 1000), Outdoor Hard
  Federer bt Nadal 6-2 6-3 (Last 16)
• 2017: Australian Open (Grand Slam), Outdoor Hard
  Federer bt Nadal 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 6-3 (Final)

• 2015: Basel, Indoor Hard
  Federer bt Nadal 6-3 5-7 6-3 (Final)
• 2014: Australian Open (Grand Slam), Outdoor Hard
  Nadal bt Federer 7-6(4) 6-3 6-3 (SF)
• 2013: London (ATP World Tour Finals), Indoor Hard
  Nadal bt Federer 7-5 6-3 (SF)
• 2013: Cincinnati (Masters 1000), Outdoor Hard
  Nadal bt Federer 5-7 6-4 6-3 (QF)
• 2013: Rome (Masters 1000), Outdoor Clay
  Nadal bt Federer 6-1 6-3 (Final)
• 2013: Indian Wells (Masters 1000), Outdoor Hard
  Nadal bt Federer 6-4 6-2 (QF)
• 2012: Indian Wells (Masters 1000), Outdoor Hard
  Federer bt Nadal 6-3 6-4 (SF)
• 2012: Australian Open (Grand Slam), Outdoor Hard
  Nadal bt Federer 6-7(5) 6-2 7-6(5) 6-4 (SF)
• 2011: London (ATP World Tour Finals), Indoor Hard
  Federer beat Nadal 6-3 6-0 (RR)
• 2011: French Open (Grand Slam), Outdoor Clay
  Nadal bt Federer 7-5 7-6(3) 5-7 6-1 (Final)
• 2011: Madrid (Masters 1000), Outdoor Clay
  Nadal bt Federer 5-7 6-1 6-3 (SF)
• 2011: Miami (Masters 1000), Outdoor Hard
  Nadal bt Federer 6-3 6-2 (SF)
• 2010: London (ATP World Tour Finals), Indoor Hard
  Federer bt Nadal 6-3 3-6 6-1 (Final)
• 2010: Madrid (Masters 1000), Outdoor Clay
  Nadal bt Federer 6-4 7-6(5) (Final)
• 2009: Madrid (Masters 1000), Outdoor Clay
  Federer bt Nadal 6-4 6-4 (Final)
• 2009: Australian Open (Grand Slam), Outdoor Hard
  Nadal bt Federer 7-5 3-6 7-6(3) 3-6 6-2 (Final)
• 2008: Wimbledon (Grand Slam), Outdoor Grass
  Nadal bt Federer: 6-4 6-4 6-7(5) 6-7(8) 9-7 (Final)
• 2008: French Open (Grand Slam), Outdoor Clay
  Nadal bt Federer 6-1 6-3 6-0 (Final)
• 2008: Hamburg (ATP Masters Series), Outdoor Clay
  Nadal bt Federer 7-5 6-7(3) 6-3 (Final)
• 2008: Monte Carlo (ATP Masters Series), Outdoor Clay
  Nadal bt Federer 7-5 7-5 (Final)
• 2007: China (Tennis Masters Cup), Indoor Hard
  Federer bt Nadal 6-4 6-1 (SF)
• 2007: Wimbledon (Grand Slam), Outdoor Grass
  Federer bt Nadal 7-6(7) 4-6 7-6(3) 2-6 6-2 (Final)
• 2007: French Open (Grand Slam), Outdoor Clay
  Nadal bt Federer 6-3 4-6 6-3 6-4 (Final)
• 2007: Hamburg (ATP Masters Series), Outdoor Clay
  Federer bt Nadal 2-6 6-2 6-0 (Final)
• 2007: Monte Carlo (ATP Masters Series), Outdoor Clay
  Nadal bt Federer 6-4 6-4 (Final)
• 2006: China (Tennis Masters Cup), Indoor Hard
  Federer bt Nadal 6-4 7-5 (SF)
• 2006: Wimbledon (Grand Slam), Outdoor Grass
  Federer bt Nadal 6-0 7-6(5) 6-7(2) 6-3 (Final)
• 2006: French Open (Grand Slam), Outdoor Clay
  Nadal bt Federer 1-6 6-1 6-4 7-6(4) (Final)
• 2006: Rome (Masters 1000), Outdoor Clay
  Nadal bt Federer 6-7(0) 7-6(5) 6-4 2-6 7-6(5) (Final)
• 2006: Monte Carlo (ATP Masters Series), Outdoor Clay
  Nadal bt Federer 6-2 6-7(2) 6-3 7-6(5) (Final)
• 2006: Dubai, Outdoor Hard
  Nadal bt Federer 2-6 6-4 6-4 (Final)
• 2005: French Open (Grand Slam), Outdoor Clay
  Nadal bt Federer 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-3 (SF)
• 2005: Miami (Masters 1000), Outdoor Hard
  Federer bt Nadal 2-6 6-7(4) 7-6(5) 6-3 6-1 (Final)
• 2004: Miami (Masters 1000), Outdoor Hard
  Nadal bt Federer 6-3 6-3 (Last 32)

Nadal v Federer: Random numbers

• 40 - The pair met 40 times. Nadal holds the upper hand with 24 wins to Federer's 16.
• 42 - Grand Slam titles between them.
• 105 - Matches won by Federer at Wimbledon, the first man to reach a century at a single Grand Slam event.
• 112 - Matches won by Nadal at the French Open, the second man to reach a century at a single Grand Slam event - and also the most ever achieved at one.
• 11 - Consecutive Grand Slam wins between them, from the 2005 French Open to the US Open in 2007.
• 9 - Number of games won by Nadal in the deciding set of the 2008 final, the last time they met at Wimbledon.
• 211 - Consecutive weeks sharing the top two spots in the world rankings, from July 2005 to August 2009.
• 17 - Nadal's age when they first played each other. The Spaniard beat the then world number one in straight sets, in Miami.
• 65 - Consecutive grass court victories for Federer, a record run ended by Nadal in the 2008 Wimbledon final.

Grand Slam title & finals breakdown

AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Roger Federer

• Titles:
  2004 v Marat Safin 7–6(7–3), 6–4, 6–2
  2006 v Marcos Baghdatis 5–7, 7–5, 6–0, 6–2
  2007 v Fernando González 7–6(7–2), 6–4, 6–4
  2010 v Andy Murray 6–3, 6–4, 7–6(13–11)
  2017 v Rafael Nadal 6–4, 3–6, 6–1, 3–6, 6–3
  2018 v Marin Čilić 6–2, 6–7(5–7), 6–3, 3–6, 6–1
• Runner-Up:
  2009 v Rafael Nadal 5–7, 6–3, 6–7(3–7), 6–3, 2–6

Rafael Nadal

• Titles:
  2009 v Roger Federer 7–5, 3–6, 7–6(7–3), 3–6, 6–2
  2022 v Daniil Medvedev 2–6, 6–7(5–7), 6–4, 6–4, 7–5
• Runner-Up:
  2012 v Novak Djokovic 7–5, 4–6, 2–6, 7–6(7–5), 5–7
  2014 v Stan Wawrinka 3–6, 2–6, 6–3, 3–6
  2017 v Roger Federer 4–6, 6–3, 1–6, 6–3, 3–6
  2019 v Novak Djokovic 3–6, 2–6, 3–6

FRENCH OPEN

Roger Federer

• Titles:
  2009 v Robin Söderling 6–1, 7–6(7–1), 6–4
• Runner-Up:
  2006 v Rafael Nadal 6–1, 1–6, 4–6, 6–7(4–7)
  2007 v Rafael Nadal 3–6, 6–4, 3–6, 4–6
  2008 v Rafael Nadal 1–6, 3–6, 0–6
  2011 v Rafael Nadal 5–7, 6–7(3–7), 7–5, 1–6

Rafael Nadal

• Titles:
  2005 v Mariano Puerta 6–7(6–8), 6–3, 6–1, 7–5
  2006 v Roger Federer 1–6, 6–1, 6–4, 7–6(7–4)
  2007 v Roger Federer 6–3, 4–6, 6–3, 6–4
  2008 v Roger Federer 6–1, 6–3, 6–0
  2010 v Robin Söderling 6–4, 6–2, 6–4
  2011 v Roger Federer 7–5, 7–6(7–3), 5–7, 6–1
  2012 v Novak Djokovic 6–4, 6–3, 2–6, 7–5
  2013 v David Ferrer 6–3, 6–2, 6–3
  2014 v Novak Djokovic 3–6, 7–5, 6–2, 6–4
  2017 v Stan Wawrinka 6–2, 6–3, 6–1
  2018 v Dominic Thiem 6–4, 6–3, 6–2
  2019 v Dominic Thiem 6–3, 5–7, 6–1, 6–1
  2020 v Novak Djokovic 6–0, 6–2, 7–5
  2022 v Casper Ruud 6–3, 6–3, 6–0
• Runner-Up: Never

WIMBLEDON

Roger Federer

• Titles:
  2003 v Mark Philippoussis 7–6(7–5), 6–2, 7–6(7–3)
  2004 v Andy Roddick 4–6, 7–5, 7–6(7–3), 6–4
  2005 v Andy Roddick 6–2, 7–6(7–2), 6–4
  2006 v Rafael Nadal 6–0, 7–6(7–5), 6–7(2–7), 6–3
  2007 v Rafael Nadal 7–6(9–7), 4–6, 7–6(7–3), 2–6, 6–2
  2009 v Andy Roddick 5–7, 7–6(8–6), 7–6(7–5), 3–6, 16–14
  2012 v Andy Murray 4–6, 7–5, 6–3, 6–4
  2017 v Marin Čilić 6–3, 6–1, 6–4
• Runner-Up:
  2008 v Rafael Nadal 4–6, 4–6, 7–6(7–5), 7–6(10–8), 7–9
  2014 v Novak Djokovic 7–6(9–7), 4–6, 6–7(4–7), 7–5, 4–6
  2015 v Novak Djokovic 6–7(1–7), 7–6(12–10), 4–6, 3–6
  2019 v Novak Djokovic 6–7(5–7), 6–1, 6–7(4–7), 6–4, 12–13(3–7)

Rafael Nadal

• Titles:
  2008 v Roger Federer 6–4, 6–4, 6–7(5–7), 6–7(8–10), 9–7
  2010 v Tomáš Berdych 6–3, 7–5, 6–4
• Runner-up:
  2006 v Roger Federer 0–6, 6–7(5–7), 7–6(7–2), 3–6
  2007 v Roger Federer 6–7(7–9), 6–4, 6–7(3–7), 6–2, 2–6
  2011 v Novak Djokovic 4–6, 1–6, 6–1, 3–6

US OPEN

Roger Federer

• Titles:
  2004 v Lleyton Hewitt 6–0, 7–6(7–3), 6–0
  2005 v Andre Agassi 6–3, 2–6, 7–6(7–1), 6–1
  2006 v Andy Roddick 6–2, 4–6, 7–5, 6–1
  2007 v Novak Djokovic 7–6(7–4), 7–6(7–2), 6–4
  2008 v Andy Murray 6–2, 7–5, 6–2
• Runner-Up:
  2009 v Juan Martín del Potro 6–3, 6–7(5–7), 6–4, 6–7(4–7), 2–6
  2015 v Novak Djokovic 4–6, 7–5, 4–6, 4–6

Rafael Nadal

• Titles:
  2010 v Novak Djokovic 6–4, 5–7, 6–4, 6–2
  2013 v Novak Djokovic 6–2, 3–6, 6–4, 6–1
  2017 v Kevin Anderson 6–3, 6–3, 6–4
  2019 v Daniil Medvedev 7–5, 6–3, 5–7, 4–6, 6–4
• Runner-Up:
  2011 v Novak Djokovic 2–6, 4–6, 7–6(7–3), 1–6

Nadal v Federer: More Stats

• Total career titles/finals
  Nadal: 92/131
  Federer: 103/157
• Grand Slam titles/finals
  Nadal: 22/30
  Federer: 20/31
• ATP Finals titles/finals
  Nadal: 0/2
  Federer: 6/10
• Masters titles/finals
  Nadal: 36/53
  Federer: 28/50
• Career prize money
  Nadal: $134,946,100
  Federer: $130,594,339
• Grand Slam match win/loss record
  Nadal: 314/44
  Federer: 369/60
• Career match win/loss record
  Nadal: 1080–227
  Federer: 1251–275

Rafael Nadal: Records and career facts

• One of only three male players with Andre Agassi and Novak Djokovic to win a Career Golden Slam (all four Grand Slams and Olympic gold)
• One of only two players along with Novak Djokovic to win majors on three different surfacrs in a calendar year (2010)
• Nadal's 14 French Open titles is the most any player has won in a single Grand Slam
• Nadal's 14 French Open finals i the most any player has reached in a single Grand Slam
• Nadal's 112 match wins at the French Open is the record at a single Grand Slam
• 96.6% match-winning percentage at the French Open is a record for any major
• His four French Open-US Open doubles (2010, 2013, 2017, 2019) is a record
• Nadal holds the record of most seasons with at least one Grand Slam title (15 spanning 2005–2014, 2017–2020, 2022)
• Nadal's streak of 10 consecutive years winning at least one Grand Slam title (2005-2014) has never been matched
• Nadal has one more Grand Slams without dropping a set (4) than any man in tennis history. They all occurred at the French Open in 2008, 2010, 2017 and 2020. Bjorn Borg is next on the Open Era list with three while Federer did it twice (2007 and 2017) while Djokovic never has.
• Nadal's career prize money of $134,946,100 is second only to Novak Djokovic

Roger Federer's career by numbers

• 20 – Grand Slam titles (third most)
• 31 – Grand Slam finals (second most)
• 369 – Grand Slam matches won (most ever)
• 429 - Grand Slam matches played (most ever)
• 8 – Wimbledon titles (most)
• 6 – Australian Open titles (second most behind Djokovic)
• 5 – US Open titles (joint most with Sampras and Connors)
• 1 – French Open title
• 5 – Federer has reached the final at every Grand Slam at least five times
• 3 – Federer reached the finals of all the Grand Slams in three different seasons (a record)
• 3 - Roger Federer managed three Grand Slams in a season in both 2006-07. Nobody else has managed to do three in back-to-back years.
• 2 - Roger Federer managed a record two Grand Slams in a season in four consecutive seasons from 2004-2007
• 103 – career titles, second in the Open era behind Jimmy Connors
• 6 – titles won at the ATP Finals (most ever)
• 310 – weeks spent at world number one (second behind Djokovic)
• 237 - weeks consecutively as world number one (most ever)
• 10 - consecutive men's Grand Slam finals (2005–2007), an all-time record
• 23 – consecutive appearances in Grand Slam semi-finals from 2004 to 2010, an all-time record
• 36 – consecutive appearances in Grand Slam quarter-finals
• 65 – consecutive Grand Slam appearances from the Australian Open in 2000 to the French Open in 2016
• 1,251 – career matches won out of 1,526
• 22 – consecutive appearances at Wimbledon
• 36 – at 36 years and 320 days, Federer was the oldest world number one in ATP history
• 12 – titles won in 2006, his most successful season
• 92 – matches won from 97 played in 2006
• 65 – consecutive matches won on grass from 2003 to 2008
• 2 – Olympic medals; gold in doubles with Stan Wawrinka in 2008 and silver in singles in 2012
• 130,594,339 – career prize money (US dollars)
• 550million – estimated net worth (USD)

CLICK HERE TO WATCH FOOTAGE FROM ALL HIS GRAND SLAM VICTORIES

Comparing the GOAT contenders

Obviously there's a certain Novak Djokovic who broke the 'Fedal' dominance and the sheer weight of his numbers make it very hard to oppose him being the new GOAT of men's tennis.

Federer supporters may put style over substance when it comes to this debate but as far as the statistics are concerned, there's really only one winner.

Grand Slams titles

• Novak Djokovic - 24
• Rafael Nadal - 22
• Roger Federer - 20

Most Grand Slams finals

• Novak Djokovic - 37
• Roger Federer - 31
• Rafael Nadal - 30

Grand Slam semi-finals

• Novak Djokovic - 49
• Roger Federer - 46
• Rafael Nadal - 38

Grand Slam quarter-finals

• Novak Djokovic - 60
• Roger Federer - 58
• Rafael Nadal - 47

Three Grand Slams in one season

• Novak Djokovic - x4 (2011, 2015, 2021, 2023)
• Roger Federer - x3 (2004, 2006, 2007)
• Rafael Nadal - x1 (2010)

Most Australian Open titles

(finals in brackets)

• Novak Djokovic - 10 (10)
• Roger Federer - 6 (7)
• Rafael Nadal - 2 (6) Joint fifth with nine other players

French Open titles

(finals in brackets)

• Rafael Nadal - 14 (14)
• Novak Djokovic - 2 (7)
• Roger Federer - 1 (5) joint 10th with many other champions

Wimbledon titles

(finals in brackets)

• Roger Federer - 8 (12)
• Novak Djokovic - 7 (10)
• Rafael Nadal - 2 (5) joint sixth with six other players

US Open titles

(finals in brackets)

• Roger Federer - 5 (7)
• Novak Djokovic - 4 (10)
• Rafael Nadal - 4 (5)

Most World Tour Finals titles

• Novak Djokovic - 7
• Roger Federer - 6
• Rafael Nadal - 0

ATP titles

• Roger Federer - 103 *second behind Jimmy Connors 109)
• Novak Djokovic - 99
• Rafael Nadal - 92

Most Masters titles

• Novak Djokovic - 40
• Rafael Nadal - 36
• Roger Federer - 28

Olympic titles

• Rafael Nadal - 1
• Novak Djokovic - 1
• (Andy Murray has most ever with 2)

Hard court titles

• Roger Federer - 71
• Novak Djokovic - 71
• Rafael Nadal - 25 (9th overall)

Clay titles

• Rafael Nadal - 63
• Novak Djokovic - 20 *10th overall
• Roger Federer - 11 *28th overall

Grass titles

• Roger Federer - 19
• Novak Djokovic - 8 * Joint 5th
• Rafael Nadal - 4 *Joint 23rd

Outdoor titles

• Rafael Nadal - 90
• Novak Djokovic - 80
• Roger Federer - 77

Indoor titles

• Roger Federer - 26 *6th overall
• Novak Djokovic - 19 *13th
• Rafael Nadal - 3 *Joint 90th

Match wins ever

• Roger Federer - 1245 * second behind Jimmy Connors (1275)
• Novak Djokovic - 1124
• Rafael Nadal - 1066

Grand Slam match wins

• Novak Djokovic - 377
• Roger Federer - 369
• Rafael Nadal - 314

Australian Open match wins

• Roger Federer - 102
• Novak Djokovic - 94
• Rafael Nadal - 77

French Open match wins

• Rafael Nadal - 112
• Novak Djokovic - 96
• Roger Federer - 73

Wimbledon match wins

• Roger Federer - 105
• Novak Djokovic - 97
• Rafael Nadal - 58

US Open match wins

• Novak Djokovic - 90
• Roger Federer - 89
• Rafael Nadal - 67

Most weeks as world number one

• Novak Djokovic - 428
• Roger Federer - 310
• Pete Sampras - 286
• Ivan Lendl - 270
• Jimmy Connors - 268
• Rafael Nadal - 209

Djokovic v Federer v Nadal: Head to heads

• Djokovic v Nadal: 30-29 overall, 11-7 in Grand Slams, 5-4 in Grand Slam finals
• Djokovic v Federer H2H: 27-23 overall, 11-6 in Grand Slams, 4-1 in Grand Slam finals
• Nadal v Federer H2H: 24-16 overall, 10-4 in Grand Slams, 6-3 in Grand Slam finals v