For the very latest head to head by age chart, click here.
On the 3rd June, 2010, Rafael Nadal will turn 24 years old.
On the 8th August, 2005, Roger Federer turned 24 years old.
With Rafa now having just surpassed Agassi’s all time record for Masters Series wins (17) – how will their comparative records stack up if we compare them at the 24th birthday milestone?
Well there is still the French Open to play before then but let’s have a look at how things stand just a few weeks before Rafa’s 24th…:
| Record in Singles Tournaments | Federer at 24 | Rafael Nadal at nearly 24 |
| Total Grand Slams | 5 | 6 |
| Australian Open | 1 | 1 |
| French Open | 0 | 4 |
| Wimbledon | 3 | 1 |
| US Open | 1 | 0 |
| Masters Series | 7 | 18 |
| Olympic Golds | 0 | 1 |
| All ATP Tournaments | 30 | 39 |
| Number of weeks at Number 1 | 73 | 46 |
One thing to add in Nadal’s favour – up until his 24th birthday, Roger faced one major competitor less than Rafa – Nadal himself. Nadal played Federer for the first time in 2004, and they had played just three times before Roger turned 24 – with two victories for the Spaniard.
So what does this all mean?
Nadal has more Slams, Masters Series, an Olympic Gold and more overall ATP Titles. Federer had been a lot more weeks at number one (but then he did not have a more mature version of himself to beat!).
So Rafa is clearly ahead on almost all counts, but will he have the longevity of Roger? Is he simply an early developer whilst Roger exploded from 23 on, with 4 or 5 years at the very highest level?
Only time will tell. But if Rafa can keep up his recent level, and not suffer from injuries, perhaps he could finish his career challenging a lot of Fed’s records…
Your thoughts?
Interesting.
Hope that Rafa has learnt to take it easy, skip the occasional tourney such as Godo, because these numbers clearly show that if he could stay well, and win 1 to 3 Slams a year, he could be in with a chance to even top the great Rog on the 2 points Fed can claim to be the very best – Grand Slam titles and weeks at No.1.
Timely post -hope you update it after he wins the next two Masters and French before he turns 24
thanks for the comments vamos_rafa. Here’s to a good match today. See live tv links above. Will definitely update the post come June 17th!
Really love the website. I hope to see that table have Rafael stand out even when it’s updated to ages 28. For Nadal to eventually beat Federer there are two things and some people overlook the second. (1) He must remain consistent throughout the years to come. (2) He must prevent Federer from updating the history books again and again.
Even if Roger plays for 4 more years and gets 4 slams, it will greatly solidify the record! And even though I support Nadal, Federer always does his homework before the grandslams and I think everyone can safely assume he’ll win at LEAST one a year until retirement!
That said, Nadal won’t be too happy to read this, as he takes one match at a time and doesn’t look that ahead. So really hoping he wins Madrid!
Omar, don’t think Fed has much left in the tank. I strongly suspect that if he manages to pull off another Grand Slam (Wimbledon comes to mind) and especially if he does so defeating Nadal, he’d grab the moment to go out on top, number one, all time greatest. Well, I think I would if I was him anyway!
Hope I’m wrong – would love to see a few more years of this great rivalry.
David – enjoyed the comparison though I think it is premature. At 28 will be a good time to measure
BAMOS NADAL BOS TENES QUE GANAR A TODOS VOS ERES MUY VUENO CHAU
I Love this site
I think Rafa will adjust to sustain his career as a tennis superstar — so more records will definitely be shattered 
I dont think it’s all premature. It’s a comparison on achievements posted on that level (age). Fair and square.
does nadal or federer won a WTF at age 24?
Brian, it always seems as if Federer doesn’t have much gas left but his worst performance in a grand slam has been a semi final in the last don’t-know-how-many years! If you look at the Rolland Garros draw, it would appear as if he won’t make it to the final this year but that just doesn’t click! I think he’ll reach it without dropping more than 2 sets in total! And if it’s against Nadal, then it’s going to be a super match because a lot will be at stake for both players in that match!
Dying for it!
fedrer iz a great player 4 ever.he is all time no 1
Roger already lost in wimbledon 2010 while rafa should get his 8th grand slam when he beat that nobody this sunday. Yey…go rafa. (Btw I named my daughter rafaella after his incredible first win in wimbledon)
Rafa on his way to GS #8, leading 2-0 sets in Wimbledon final right now. And he is only 24 years an 1 month. Vamos Rafa!
So funny: Berdych was asked “ow does it feel to do the impossible to beat Federer here?” and Berd answers “not impossible, since it was done”! Hahaha!! Vamos Rafa #8 GS in the bag!
They both are great players, roger is undoubtedly best in hard & grass, rafa is the all time best in clay & now also proving himself in grass. but still need more to do in hard. two things made him ahead in rivalry, his hard work & determination.
Wow! Good job Davy! I am a fan of Rafa but i have a great respect for Fedex too. It’s just that when they both meet i vouch for Rafa!!
VAMOS RAFA
Thanks for all the positive comments. I agree with those who say Nadal and Federer are both wonderful tennis players with their own style. We are blessed to be in an age where they are both on the courts.
I made a more complete head to head by age chart here – you can compare Nadal vs Federer stats at any age…http://www.nadalvsfederer.com/federer-vs-nadal-head-to-head-by-age-chart/
While Nadal has amassed a bigger tournament count in these years, I don’t think his numbers will keep up for as many years as Federer’s. So I say he’ll get to, say, 13-14 GS titles before his body calls it quits. Have you read his last interviews? Feeling like he’s been playing tennis for “a hundred years” and so on? Here’s one kid on the road to a Borg-like burnout. A pity, since he is amazing.