Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer recently competed at the summit of a snow-capped mountain. Instead of a far-flung tennis exhibition, the two titans of the game gathered for a photo shoot for Louis Vuitton’s long-running Core Values campaign atop a peak in the Italian Dolomites mountain range. The image, which was shot by Annie Leibovitz and published today, shows the long-time rivals trekking through the snowy landscape while carrying LV backpacks.
What then is the secret to getting two GOATs to team up on a snow-capped mountaintop? The job was possibly not as difficult as it seems, as Nadal and Federer personally explained via email to GQ. Both the concept and the partner were appealing, in Federer’s words. It’s a privilege to carry on the athletic tradition of the Louis Vuitton campaign, which featured Pelé, Maradona, Zidane, Messi, and Ronaldo in the past, he wrote. “As a rival and special friend, Rafael has been instrumental in my growth as a professional athlete, competitor, and human being. We have similar values and mutual respect.”
Nadal voiced a similar opinion. He wrote, “To be honest, I thought from the beginning, what a great opportunity and honor, not only because it was something with Roger, but also because the brand itself is one of the most iconic in France and the world.” “We’d always talked about doing things in the past, and right now was the best time to do it.”
