Post Roger Federer’s win in 2012 Wimbledon, his draught of a Grand Slam win was as long as five years. Not many would have thought that the legend could have made a comeback from there.
Post Roger Federer’s win in 2012 Wimbledon, his draught of a Grand Slam win was as long as five years. Not many would have thought that the legend could have made a comeback from there.
On the other hand, his arch-rival and good friend Rafael Nadal went through the same phase. He was without a major win after his Rolland Garros victory in 2014. The situation went bad when he was conquered at his own backyard, Paris, by Novak Djokovic in 2015.
Both the veterans, Nadal and Federer, struggled to recover fully because of their respective injuries and going into 2016, they decided to take a break in the mid-season.
They returned in 2017 and the rest is history. A Grand Slam final has had at least one of these two playing since the Australian Open 2017 final where Federer defeated Nadal in close five-setter.
The last six Grand Slam wins have been equally divided between the two legends. Moreover, the No. 1 rank has been jumping from Nadal to Federer and vice-versa.
With Federer’s loss at Halle Open 2018 on Sunday, Nadal returned on the top and the No. 1 rank switched between Nadal and Federer for the sixth time this season.
Ahead of Wimbledon, which is scheduled to begin on July 2, No. 1 player, Nadal, recalling the iconic 2008 Wimbledon final against Federer, said, “It is one of the most emotional matches I ever played. I was coming from two consecutive (Wimbledon) finals and it was a very important step forward for me. It opened me a new way. Although winning and losing are a part of the sport, but that was a key moment’.”
When Nadal was asked if he thought he could again meet Federer again in the final at the All England Club next month, the Spaniard said, “I can't think about it now. Federer and I have not played each other in a Wimbledon final since 2008.”
Speaking about the fight for the No. 1 ranking position, the 32-year-old clarified,” I won't risk it and I won't seek the No. 1. At this stage of my career, the goal is to be healthy as many weeks as possible; be happy in what I do and I ensure I have the option to compete every week.”
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 "Nadal and Federer played one of the greatest Wimbledon finals in 2008")
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