Federer and Nadal before the 39th duel - "We made each other better"
On Friday it is the eternal duel between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal . So far, Nadal has always been better in Paris - but Federer confidently starts a new attempt.
by Jörg Allmeroth
last edit: Jun 06, 2019, 10:48 am
It was during a long conversation with Roger Federer, right before returning to the red sand, that Rafael Nadal was inevitable. Federer was asked whether Nadal was in trouble after some difficulties in the first weeks of the ash place season, perhaps even in a crisis. The master player looked a little puzzled, shook his head, then put on record: “Whatever happens. Rafa will be in top shape in Paris. As always, "said Federer," he will be the man to beat. "And himself, Federer, what role will he be able to play:" An unpredictable returnee, one who hopefully is in a really good shape can play in, "says Federer," I'm looking forward to the unknown, to the unexpected. "
And now? It has come a long way with Federer. And for Federer. On Friday, he will actually face the man who almost took the French Open into his personal possession - for the sixth time the curtain will open for the classic Federer vs. Nadal at the Roland Garros stadium on June 7, for the comparison between Maestro and matador. Federer, he makes no secret of it, has been waiting for this moment, the hope for this gigantic duel was also an impulse for the return to Paris. "Of course that was one of the reasons why I started again," said Federer, the winner in Tuesday's four-set thriller against compatriot Stan Wawrinka.
He had been missing the slide exercises under the Eiffel Tower for three years, but on the home stretch of his career Federer is also looking for the special thrill, the adventure. And this adventure can also be the complicated challenge of marching on Center Court against Nadal. "It is certainly one of the ultimate tests to prevail against him here," says Federer, "but I always, every day of my career, went out with the feeling that you can win." That is exactly why, so Federer, he did "Won a lot."
Federer wanted a match against Nadal
Federer against Nadal, it was the formative duel of this era for a long time. A regular classic, an evergreen duel on hard courts, lawns or in the sand. But how does Federer (37) look at his opponent, who is four years younger, after all the years of friendly rivalry? He does not have to think long, the answer comes quickly: "Certainly my greatest opponent," he says, "we have made each other better and better, driven ourselves to new top performances." Then he adds: "Everyone somehow has one another Thanks to his own career. ”Later Djokovic joined as a great opponent,“ who has also stepped up to an unbelievable level. ”
Since 2004 there has been no Grand Slam tournament in which not at least Federer, Nadal or Djokovic were in the semi-finals. And now, actually, when the Maestro returns to the French Open, once again a rendezvous of the old, very sprightly titans in the final round, in the very hot tournament phase. It was "the goal, the wish, the dream" to play well into the competition, Federer says, "and thus to have this match against Rafa."
Federer confidently goes into the Nadal match
It is now the 39th comparison of the two grandees who have shared tennis dominance for many years, Nadal has won 23 times and Federer 15 times. Federer has never won against Nadal in Paris, he has tried five times to no avail, the last time in 2011. When Federer won his only French Open title in 2009, Nadal had already eliminated Robin Söderling from Sweden in the round of 16. For him, the most important thing now is to be in the semi-finals, says Nadal, "not against whom." Nevertheless, the match against Federer is an "extra": "The decisive moments in our career, we experienced together."
# BETATHOMEFO #
Nobody is unbeatable, nowhere, says Federer before perhaps the last game against Nadal at the French Open. Before perhaps the last chance to beat the clay court king on his beloved Grand Slam terrain, the eleven-time Roland Garros champion. “I was always aware that sooner or later I'll meet him if I play well here,” says Federer, “now I've played well, the match is here. And I go in with a confident feeling. "
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