You know that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are friends off the court, right? I remember Vogue’s profile of Nadal last year, where Nadal was talking about how much respect he has for Federer, and how Federer is “one of the greatest tennis players in history, if not the greatest.” Nadal also talked about beating Federer on the court, and Federer’s high emotions afterwards: “I didn’t really know what to do. I felt sad for him. Those are difficult moments when you’re living through them, but over the years they become moments that both he and I will be able to look back on fondly—they’re emotional moments.” So… they’re buddies. Professional friends, arguably the two greatest tennis players working today, if not two of the best ever, in the history of tennis. So is it so surprising that they would join together for two exhibition games, all to support each other’s charities? Honestly, it’s so nice it’s making me tear up a little.

World number one Rafael Nadal has avenged his two recent defeats to Roger Federer with a victory over his rival in a charity match in Madrid, Spain. Wednesday night’s clash was the second of two exhibitions aimed at raising money for the pair’s foundations, with Federer winning Tuesday’s contest in the Swiss city of Zurich.

It was the third time in the last month that the world’s top-two male tennis players have met and Nadal’s first victory in that period, after Federer won in Switzerland and at the ATP World Tour Finals in London, England.

Twenty-four hours earlier the two stars joined forces to raise funds for Roger Federer’s foundation, and the “Match for Africa” raised $2.6 million for the 29-year-old’s charity.

The 23-year-old Nadal thanked his opponent for his participation in the match and was pleased the duo could use their status to raise money for a good cause.

“I say thank you very much to Roger for coming here to Madrid and supporting my foundation today,” the nine-time grand slam winner told the ATP Tour’s official website after winning the match 7-6 (7-3) 4-6 6-1.

“Both of us are very happy that we can finally have this event and raise a lot of money for these kids. I know that with what we’re going to raise … it’s not going to be decisive but it will be a help. It’s going to be important to improve this world a little bit.”

The contest, named the “Joining Forces For the Benefit Of Children” match, attracted an all-star crowd to the Caja Magica, including Spain’s Queen Sofia.

[From CNN]

Sweet, right? Federer won one, and Nadal won one. And they raised millions of dollars, and people got to see two of the best players in the world compete against each other. Lovely.

Oh, and for those who say that we have to pick a side, either Team Rafa or Team Federer… I’m Team Federer, just because I think he’s a very kind, sweet man, and a real gentleman. But Rafa’s not bad at all.

For more information about Rafa’s foundation, go here. For more information on Federer’s foundation, go here.

Photos courtesy of Fame.