Federer vs. Nadal: A Rivalry Needed a Unique Stage
In 2007, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were tennis’ undisputed kings—Federer dominated grass courts, while Nadal was unbeatable on clay. Yet, the question remained: who was the best? The answer came in the form of a unique exhibition match played on a court that was half-grass, half-clay.
This concept left such a lasting impression that Federer mentioned it in his farewell message to Nadal just weeks ago. The Swiss star reminisced about their shared memories, calling it “that match on half-grass, half-clay.”
At the time, Federer hadn’t lost on grass in nearly five years, while Nadal had been undefeated on clay for two years. The idea for this unique contest came from Pablo del Campo, an Argentine creative and tennis enthusiast inspired by baseball’s mixed surfaces.
The Vision: Creating a Hybrid Court
Del Campo’s idea stemmed from childhood memories of flying over a Miami baseball stadium, where grass met dirt. After pitching the idea unsuccessfully for Pete Sampras and Gustavo Kuerten, Del Campo turned to Federer and Nadal in 2005. The two legends agreed, finding the concept “fun” and “exciting.”
Building the court was no small feat:
- Construction took 19 days and cost $1.63m (£1.28m).
- Challenges included dead grass and a worm infestation, which led to replacing the turf with a local golf green.
A Spectacle for Tennis Fans
The event took place on 2 May 2007 at the Palma Arena in Mallorca, Nadal’s home island. The 7,000 available tickets sold out in two hours, reflecting fans’ excitement for the unprecedented match.
The game was played over three sets, with extended changeovers allowing the players to swap shoes for the different surfaces. Transitioning between clay and grass mid-match posed unique challenges for both players:
- Clay demands sliding footwork and extended strides.
- Grass requires shorter, cautious steps due to its slippery nature.
Nadal adapted better, breaking Federer’s serve on both surfaces to win the first set. Federer fought back, breaking on clay to level the match. Ultimately, Nadal triumphed in a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (12-10) victory.
Reactions: A Historic Success
Despite early concerns about adapting to the conditions, both players appreciated the experience:
- Rafael Nadal: “It was a great experience, though I thought it might be a disaster due to the difficulty of adapting.”
- Roger Federer: “It was enjoyable, but a bit stressful with the constant shoe changes.”
The match remains a cherished memory for tennis fans, with Novak Djokovic later praising the idea as “genius” and calling it “one of the best images I’ve ever seen in tennis.”
Although a sequel match was planned, it never materialized, leaving Nadal with the bragging rights and Del Campo with accolades for creating one of tennis’ most iconic events.
“Relive more legendary moments in tennis history. Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive stories and updates from the world of sports!”
