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In the first of two exhibition matches in two days, this one in Zurich, Roger Federer has beaten Rafael Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. The exhibition raised $2.5 million for children in Africa through the Roger Federer Foundation. Tomorrow the pair will play in Madrid for the Rafa Nadal Foundation.
While Nadal still leads their head to head match up, even though this win doesn’t count, Rafa joked that after two consecutive losses to the Swiss Maestro that he liked him “a little bit less.”
“This is a special match for me, which I will remember forever. I’m just so proud and so happy that we all made it work. I thought obviously of doing a match like this for a long time, but I felt comfortable doing it this year and Rafa was so supportive and coming over and helping… I’ll look back on this with very fond memories forever and that I was able to pull off this event here in Switzerland for the first time so nicely and with such hype, it was just amazing.” – Roger Federer
“It was an unforgettable experience. I’m very happy to be part of this event.” – Rafael Nada
“The atmosphere is quite different; it’s not a tournament really, it’s just one particular match, which honestly I’m not quite used to doing. The focus is just solely on two players and one match. There was quite a pressure going into a match like this, but at the end of the day, it’s so not important who won the match tonight. It was a match for Africa, this money is going to go to a good cause, for my Foundation, for kids in Africa, so I’m so proud and so happy that we all made it work, so thanks again to everybody.” – Roger Federer
“It wasn’t an easy match with new conditions, no days of preparation… The important thing is what he said is the money for the Foundation, for very good causes, for the kids, for the people that really need help, so I’m very happy to be part of this event. Thank you to Roger who invited me here. It was an unforgettable experience.” – Rafael Nadal
“It’s really difficult to play today. We haven’t had any practice on this court – they build it up, tear it down – but it was for a great cause. I’m so happy Rafa came here today. We tried our best to put in a good effort and I thought the crowds were amazing.” – Roger Federer
“It’ll be very exciting for me, and very emotional for me also. Thanks to Roger for coming tomorrow. We never played together in Switzerland before, but in Madrid it’s going to be the third time I think. We’re going to be 1-1, he beat me in 2009, I beat him in 2010, so it’s going to be a decisive moment.” – Rafael Nadal
