In the 2009 Madrid Open final, Roger Federer managed to defeat Rafael Nadal, but believed that the loss would not significantly impact the Spaniard. In that year’s Masters 1000 event, both tennis legends were the top two seeds and reached the final through different semifinals. Nadal had a narrow win against Novak Djokovic with 3-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(9), while Federer triumphed over Juan Martin Del Potro with a 6-3, 6-4 victory.
In the final, Federer secured a 6-4, 6-4 win against his rival and claimed his second Madrid title and his first on clay. Reflecting on the match, the 27-year-old Swiss player said it was a perfect game for him, adding that he anticipated Nadal would still excel at the French Open that year. Nadal, then ranked World No. 1, said the Madrid Open was practically “another surface” compared to the French Open. However, he had a disappointing French Open performance that year, losing to eventual runner-up Robin Soderling in the fourth round.
Federer and Nadal faced each other three times at the Madrid Open, with Nadal winning in two of these matches. The 2009 final was the only time Federer defeated his rival in the Spanish capital. Nadal reclaimed the Madrid title in the 2010 final, winning 6-4, 7-6(5) against Federer. The two legends last met in the Madrid Open semifinals in 2011. Federer initially led the game by winning the first set 7-5. Nadal bounced back, winning the second set 6-1 and the final set to secure a 5-7, 6-1, 6-3 victory. However, he ultimately lost the Madrid Open final to Djokovic.
