20 YEARS AGO TODAY! The First EVER Federer vs Nadal Match at Miami 2004 ❤️

World No. 1 leading the way, behind a man who very well might become the World No. 1 one day. Immense promise in this 17-year-old Spaniard, Rafael Nadal Pereira, to give him his full name. The 22-year-old World No. 1 comes from Switzerland. He's won 14 singles titles, starting in 2001 in Milan. When I tell you that last year he won in Marseille, Dubai, Munich, Haller, Wimbledon, of course, his first Grand Slam, Vienna and Houston, the Tennis Masters server, I'm telling you what a sensational season he had. As we saw last summer when he had wins over Albert Costa and Carlos Moya, one in Monte Carlo, the other in Hamburg. But at 17 years of age, he turned pro in 2001, was playing the Challenger circuit. He's already accumulated just under a half a million dollars in prize money and having a very good 2004, 13 wins. And the lovely thing is that he's going on improving at such a rate that, you know, the sky is the limit as far as his potential goes, his future. Nadal taking advantage of a big first serve, keeping Federer pinned back. Well, that'll bring the crowd to their feet. Absolutely wonderful court coverage from the man who's refused to say no, refused to give in in that moment. On that fizzing forehand of Nadal's. That five. Nadal getting back in play, allowing himself to come up with a pass. And Federer, not a good approach shot while sitting up. We'll tell you that Nadal is the first to do it. He is a good reader. Nadal thinking he got a bit lucky, but the ball sitting up for the Federer forehand. Well, there is an idea. Federer taking advantage of a very deep second serves. Well, the world of your socks up. Holding to keep the margin to one great four three now. That's just an amazing backhand from Federer. It's actually a chip backhand, which doesn't look like he's trying to pass. He's just trying to place the ball and it ends up being a beautiful reminiscent of a Kenny Rosewall. How's that for cool? That's a pretty classic shot from the young Spaniard. Changing the direction of the ball several times and then. Out of nowhere, the underslice backhand drop shot. Sorry, forehand drop shot. Well, this is a very, very impressive performance altogether. That's too good. And it's the pace he is setting, the power he's using, that is unsettling Federer at the moment. You see there, all he can do is to try and scoop it up. The first set belongs to the Spaniard. Six games to three, they've been playing for just 34 minutes. He's dictating the points, Nadal using his serve to keep Federer behind the baseline. Nadal playing inside the baseline, and every time he sees a ball that's short, he pounces on it. Just remember who you're playing. Federer showing us how to change the direction of. Once again, the serve starting everything off. World-class volley at last from Federer. He finally stuck the volley, he got his racket on the balls, he makes a good approach. He just doesn't push it, he actually punches it, catches Nadal off balance. As the number one player in the world, he did not. Well, this looks a little bit more normal. Nadal is getting every return serve back in play. There's the shot of the match, forcing the error from an absolutely astonished Federer. Look at that relief. And he's so quick. And it is totally unknown, Federer. From 40-love, he's lost his serve, and he's 4-2 down. Well, this point makes it relevant. Well, that's just too good. Well, a quite astonishing win by a young man whose progress is so fast, so rapid, that one wonders where it will all end. An extraordinary performance in just an hour and nine minutes. He has humbled the world number one, no other word. Given him a lesson. Out-hit him. Out-played him. 6-3. And worth every inch of the win that he's just constructed. I mean, an unbelievable performance.