‘I got drunk with Federer and Nadal – they were so different’ | Tennis | Sport
Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal have been described as having different personalities on a night out (Image: Getty)
Most tennis fans would jump at the chance to have a night out on the town with tennis icons Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Luckily for Greek tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas, he’s drunk with both heroes of the game. The world No.43 has shared the intriguing anecdote of getting drunk with both stars, claiming that while Federer is a gregarious character after a few drinks, Nadal is on the quieter side.
Speaking on the What’s The Call podcast, Tsitsipas confessed that he ended the night with Federer, 44, and Nadal, 39, by dancing on the tables. Detailing how the evening took place during the Laver Cup, he said: “I got drunk for the first time with Rafa and Roger. It was the first time I drank alcohol in my life. Great way to start it. I couldn’t ask for anything better.”
He added: “I had no idea what to order. I’ve never tried anything in my life. Roger told me: ‘Come on, you have to drink something.'”
He went on to explain that, while Nadal is more introverted, eight-time Wimbledon champion Federer was approachable, confident, and very spontaneous, but “in a good way.”
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According to the Australian and French Open finalist Tsitsipas, he and former Austrian star Dominic Thiem concluded the night’s shenanigans by dancing and singing on the tables. Tsitsipas simply categorised the evening as “fun.”
Federer has spoken openly about partying in the past. He once detailed how he went a little overboard during celebrations after winning one of his five US Open titles. “I’ve never had a diet in my life. And I like to celebrate a victory with a good glass of champagne,” he said back in 2019.
Stefanos Tsitsipas partied with Nadal and Federer at the Laver Cup in 2022 (Image: Getty)
“Once I got drunk too. One happened after winning the US Open. It took me three and a half days to recover completely. The tournament was finished on Sunday evening and I only recovered on Thursday.”
The 27-year-old Greek star is not the only player to share tales of drinking with Federer and Nadal. Australian player Thanasi Kokkinakis offered his perspective on who makes for better company out of the two during a night out.
Speaking to fellow pro Felix Mischker on the Tennis Brothers YouTube channel, he opened up on Federer and Nadal’s preferred drink of choice.
“I heard Rafa doesn’t mind a night out,” he said. “I had one night out with him in Acapulco a while ago at the players’ party thing. I didn’t mind a tequila, obviously, within reason, within the tournament. Fed’s is classy, so a wine or champagne.”
Roger Federer once described how he got drunk after winning the US Open (Image: Getty)
He also predicted that another legend of the game, Novak Djokovic, would be partial to a chaotic night on the town, after he witnessed the Serbian icon’s celebratory posts online following his Olympic victory in 2024.
Kokkinakis added: “I reckon Novak would be loose. I have seen some videos. I reckon Novak would be a fun night out.”
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