March 28, 2004: The day Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal kicked off their rivalry with a stunning upset win for the Spaniard

March 28, 2004, marked a pivotal moment in tennis history as the then-unheralded Spanish lefty, Rafael Nadal, announced his arrival on the global stage with a stunning victory over world No. 1 Roger Federer. In the third round of the Miami Masters 1000, Nadal, still a teenager, delivered a dominant performance, defeating the seemingly invincible Swiss maestro 6-3, 6-3. This early exit for Federer, who was at the peak of his powers, sent shockwaves through the tennis world and was arguably the season’s biggest surprise. More than just an upset, it served as a powerful declaration of intent from Nadal, hinting at the legendary career that was to unfold.