20 years ago in Miami: Federer conquers his first title and the rivalry with Nadal | ATP Tour

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20 years ago in Miami: Federer conquers his first title and the rivalry with Nadal is turned on

The Swiss completed its first double double in that edition

March 16, 2025

Roger Federer always had a gift to achieve greatness with the greatest precision, and his first Miami Open title presented by It Itaú was no exception.

In just the second chapter of what would become one of the most emblematic rivalries of tennis, the Swiss teacher defeated Rafael Nadal in a five -set classic to complete a spectacular week in Florida in 2005. The victory marked the first of the three doubles of the Federer Sun (also in 2006 and 2017) and was part of his record reign of 237 weeks as number 1 Rankings

Before the 2025 edition of the ATP Masters 1000 in Florida, Atptour.com commemorates the 20th anniversary of Federer’s first victory in Miami.

Roger’s path to the title
Federer arrived in Miami in 2005 with great confidence. He had occupied number one for 59 consecutive weeks and had won 26 of his 27 previous games, getting titles in Doha, Dubai and Indian Wells. After a comfortable debut against Olivier Rochus, the maximum favorite was subjected to two at odds battles. He gave Sets against Mariano Zabaleta and Mario Ancic, but finally demonstrated his claw to advance to the quarterfinals.

In that round, Federer easily exceeded Tim Henman, granting only six games against the British. The then 24 -year -old dispatched the eight -time Grand Slam champion, Andre Agassi, in the semifinals, expanding his streak of victories against the American to seven games.

With the Indian Wells trophy that year already in his possession, Federer was about to achieve his first double of the Sun. Who got in his way? A tenacious 18 -year -old Nadal.

Roger Federer, Andre Agassi” src=”https://www.atptour.com/-/media/2024-images/news/2025/03/12/11/34/federer-agassi-miami-2005.jpg” style=”width: 100%;”>_{^{Roger Federer beats Andre Agassi to reach the Miami final in 2005. Photo: ai beautiful/getty images}}

A classic of five sets right in the first final of ‘Fedal’
While Federer monopolized headlines for his dominant streak as number 1 in the world, Nadal had forged his own path, getting consecutive titles in Costa Do Sauípe and Acapulco in early 2005, before reaching his first ATP Masters 1000 final in Miami. The clash for the championship between them was a rematch of his third round in Miami in 2004, when a 17 -year -old Nadal surprised Federer.

Wearing his iconic three -quarters shorts and a sleeveless orange shirt, Nadal won the five -time 1000 Masters champion, Federer. He remained firm in the face of the aggressive and aggressive style of the Swiss, which was thrown into the network, and dispatched it with a rain of precise passing’s blows to seal an unfavorable first set. Federer began to find his rhythm on the second set, but wasted a 5-2 advantage-and a set point-which raised a titanic task.

Rafael Nadal” src=”https://www.atptour.com/-/media/2024-images/news/2022/03/29/20/56/nadal-miami-2005.jpg” style=”width: 100%;”>_{^{Rafael Nadal faced Federer in Miami in 2004 and 2005. Photo: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images}}

Nadal maintained his impulse in the third set, reaching a 4-1 advantage to place two games from his first 1000 Masters title. But with a historic victory in sight, the 18-year-old began to crumble, and Federer punished with a nervous setback in the Tie-Break to stay alive. From there, the world number 1 changed completely marching, showing the champion mentality that defined its rise to the top.

Saying only four more games in the last two sets, Federer won an epic three-hour victory and 43 minutes to get his first victory over Nadal and match his series Lexus ATP Head2head at 1-1. When extending his remarkable streak to 18 victories in the late, the Swiss assured his sixth trophy of Masters and his fifth ATP Tour title of the 2005 season.

“I was very worried today; “That I could defeat Henman and Agassi as I did, and go over 2-0 [hoy]this is one of the tournaments that I will probably remember better in my career. ”

_{^{Roger Federer won the first double of the Sun in 2005 (also in 2006 and 2017). Photo: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images}}

Federer continues his reign while the rivalry with Nadal shoots
After his final epic of five sets in Miami, it was clear that Federer and Nadal were destined for one of the greatest rivalries of tennis. The duo would face in 23 more finals, including that of Miami in 2017, where Federer defeated Spanish to get his third double.

After his victory in Miami in 2005, Federer’s domain as number 1 lasted three more years, extending his reign to a record of 237 consecutive weeks. Throughout their legendary races, Federer and Nadal faced a total of 40 times before retiring in 2022 and 2024, respectively, with the Spanish obtaining a 24-16 advantage in their Lexus ATP Head2head.