The thing Roger Federer only managed to do once against Rafael Nadal: The 2005 Miami Open

Roger Federer won four Miami Open titles during his career, with the first coming against Rafael Nadal in 2005.

Their meeting marked the start of what would become one of tennis’s great rivalries.

They played out a five-set match, with Federer emerging victorious to claim his first Miami title.

There’s one thing Federer managed to do against Nadal at that Miami Open that he never repeated in their long-standing rivalry.

Roger Federer’s Miami comeback win over Rafael Nadal

Federer entered the 2005 Miami Open as the world number one and heavy favourite, while Nadal was seeded 29th. Early on, though, it was Nadal who set the pace, taking the first two sets against his future rival.

Back then, Masters events used a best-of-five format, which played into Federer’s hands as he mounted a comeback. He took the third set in a tiebreak before winning the next two sets 6-3 and 6-1 to clinch the title.

It remains Federer’s only win over Nadal after falling two sets behind. The other four matches they played over five sets were split evenly between them, but none followed that same script.

Nadal reflected on how close he came to victory after losing in five sets: “When you get so close like today,” said Rafa post-match via TennisTV.

“I started playing very well but obviously when you are close you want to finish.”

Roger Federer still has a Miami Open record

Federer’s fourth and final Miami Open win saw him hit a tournament record that he still holds today.

The Swiss legend beat John Isner in straight sets in the 2019 final, making him the oldest champion in the history of the event.

He lifted the trophy at 37 years and 235 days old, and it turned out to be his last ever appearance at the Miami Open.

Federer wrapped up the match in just 64 minutes, winning an impressive 32 of 35 points on his own serve along the way.

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