Real Madrid, the Spanish football giants, reportedly want to host a special tennis match at their 85,000-seater home stadium, the newly rennovated Santiago Bernabeu, between Rafael Nadal, a self-admitted Los Blancos fan, and Roger Federer, the Swiss tennis icon who announced his retirement recently.

In his retirement message, Federer announced that he would be retiring from touring and competing in Grand Slams after the Laver Cup, that is scheduled to take place in London from September 23 to 25.

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Federer’s retirement announcement came as a shock to sports fans across the world. Alongside Tiger Woods, LeBron James, and Lionel Messi, Federer became a 21st century sporting legend thanks to his 20 Grand Slam titles, a record eight Wimbledon Open men’s singles win, and a host of other achievements have made Federer a bonafide G.O.A.T. (Greatest of all Time) of the game.

Rafael Nadal, the man who is considered Federer’s greatest on-court rival, has also sent a message to the Swiss tennis great on his retirement, as has Messi, the Argentine football captain.

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On Twitter, the Spanish clay specialist said regarding Federer’s retirement, “Dear Roger, my friend and rival. I wish this day would have never come. It’s a sad day for me personally and for sports around the world. It’s been a pleasure but also an honor and privilege to share all these years with you, living so many amazing moments on and off the court”.

The rivalry between the two tennis legends has offered the world some of the best tennis matches of this century. The 2008 Wimbledon Open final between the two is widely regarded by many tennis experts as the greatest match of all time. 

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The two of them have won 11 back-to-back majors. They are also the only two male tennis players to be ranked in the top two on six consecutive ATP Tour seasons. Tennis fans will be eager to watch the duo in action once again at the Santiago Bernabeu, which is also the home of the most successful football club of all time.