Over the years, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have developed one of the most interesting friendships and rivalries in the sporting world. And, before the rise of Novak Djokovic, tennis used to be dominated by Federer and Nadal, or 'Fedal' as tennis fans are used to. A total of 40 official matches between the two tennis legends have taken place, with the Swiss maestro winning 16 and losing 24. Unfortunately, the tennis world will no longer be able to witness such rivalry in the upcoming years after Roger Federer announced his retirement. But, we can definitely take a walk down memory lane to visit beautiful moments between Federer and Nadal through the years.

The rivalry between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer dates back to 2004 in Miami when the Spaniard was still a young man with a tremendous amount of self-confidence. This tennis match, in which Nadal, who was ranked 34, upset Federer, who was ranked 1, by 6-3, 6-3, was the most foretelling ever.

Federer won the match this time to claim the title after their thrilling duel in Key Biscayne the previous year. Federer had a two-set lead against Nadal and was up 4-1 in the third when the Swiss decided to take a chance and beat the Spaniard 2-6, 6-7(4), 7-6(5), 6-3, 6-1.

After defeating Nadal in the semi-final, Roger Federer went on to beat USA's James Blake 6–0, 6–3, 6–4 to win the singles tennis title at the 2006 Tennis Masters Cup - his third Tour Finals title.

The game took place the night before Nadal's 19th birthday. The precocious Spaniard celebrated this day by reaching the men's final for the first time in asking with the unseeded Puerta barring his way to the title after four sets (6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3).

Nadal and Federer beam as they attend a press conference together, on November 20, 2006, ahead of their Hyundai Card Super Tennis Match in Seoul, South Korea.

Rafael Nadal, the defending champion, defeated Roger Federer in the 2006 French Open men's singles tennis championship match. He won the second French Open and second major championships in his career. It was the first of three finals contests between Nadal and Federer in the French Open.

At the 2006 Wimbledon Championships, Roger Federer won the men's singles tennis championship by defeating Rafael Nadal, who was the three-time defending champion. He won his seventh major championship overall and fourth Wimbledon crown. Federer and Nadal would compete in the Wimbledon final for the first of three times in a row.

Federer triumphed 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 2-6, 6-2 to capture his fifth straight Wimbledon championship. Before losing his focus in the fourth set, the Swiss star led two sets to one. Despite the fact that Nadal appeared to have the advantage in momentum, Federer fought back well to break twice in the fifth set and win the match.

Rafael Nadal won the men's singles tennis championship at the 2007 French Open by defeating Roger Federer in the championship match, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. Nadal was previously a two-time defending champion, and the victory made him the first man in 27 years to win three straight French Open tennis titles.

Both Roger Federer of Switzerland and Rafael Nadal of Spain beamed as they posed with their trophies on day seven of the Tennis Masters Series Hamburg. Roger Federer defeated Rafael Nadal, ending Nadal's 81-match winning streak on clay, and became the tournament's singles champion.

Rafael Nadal won the men's singles tennis championship at the 2008 French Open by defeating Roger Federer in the championship match, 6-1, 6-3, 6-0. Federer suffered his worst defeat in a major in the course of his whole career. Nadal overcame Federer in the French Open final for the third time in a row.

One of the greatest matches in tennis history took place during this match. To win his first Wimbledon championship, Nadal overcame the ‘King of Grass-court’ with scores of 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 6-7 (8-10), and 9-7. Nadal's triumph made him the first person to win Wimbledon and the French Open in the same year since Bjorn Borg.

In four hours and 23 minutes, Nadal defeated Federer in five sets (7-5, 3-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-2). The contest was hailed as one of the finest Australian Open finals ever played. Nearly seven months after their thrilling 2008 Wimbledon Final, the spectators got to see another excellent encounter between the two tennis greats.

From left to right, tennis' legendary trio of Andy Murray, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal posed together as they attend the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals Gala at Battersea Power Station on November 17, 2011. It was one of the rare occasions that fans see Nadal and Federer not playing on the field.

At the Men's Final at Crandon Park Tennis Center on April 2, 2017, in Florida, Roger Federer beat Rafael Nadal to become the champion of the Miami Open, his third title of 2017 following the Australian Open and Indian Wells.

Federer beams after winning the Men's singles champion of the 2017 Shanghai Tennis Masters Cup. Spain's Nadal came in second place after losing 6–4, 6–3 to the Swiss maestro.

In this photo, Nadal and Federer's friendship was the brightest spark. The two were talking after their match during the Men's Singles Semifinals match at the 2019 French Open Tennis Tournament at Roland Garros in Paris. Nadal won the match, beating Federer 6-3 6-4 6-2.

Federer and Nadal shake hands happily after finishing their match in the Men's Singles Semi-Final at The Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championship at Wimbledon on July 12, 2019. The Swiss maestro again won the match after defeating Nadal, but eventually lost to Novak Djokovic in the final.

In this photo taken in September, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are seen attending Laver Cup 2022 dinner at Somerset House in London. Laver Cup will also mark Federer's last time on the court before he hangs up his racquet.