ROGER FEDERER admits even he is excited about the prospect of playing Rafael Nadal in New York for the first time.
Nadal himself? Not so much!
Despite their long rivalry, which is enjoying a surprise revival this year, none of their 37 previous meetings have been at Flushing Meadows – where they are seeded to meet in this year’s semi finals.
Federer, the Australian Open and Wimbledon champion, said: “I think that would be fun for everybody involved.
“I mean, there is, like, I don’t know, 60-plus players in between us that don’t agree in our section that we should make it to the semis.
“We have our work cut out there.
“But I’d love to play Rafa here in New York. Hopefully it will be a night session.
“Hopefully that would be a great atmosphere and one again where we play great like at the Australian Open.”
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French Open champion Nadal takes a more pragmatic view and would prefer to play someone other than resurgent Roger in the last four.
Nadal said: “If I am in semifinals, not. I prefer to play against another one. Is obvious, no?
“I am not that way. Sounds very good, but the real thing, I prefer to play against another player, an easier one if it’s possible.
“Of course I understand that gonna be great for our history. Is true that we played in all Grand Slam finals.
“We never played here and for sure this year we are not going to play in finals.
“But anyway, meeting him here in semifinals with Roger, if that happens that will be something great and amazing.”
Federer won the battle of the golden oldies in the final of the Australian Open back in January
Nadal and Federer are also fighting for the world No 1 slot, with Nadal the man in possession after ending Andy Murray’s 41-week reign at the top of the rankings.
Federer said: “Rafa’s year has been exceptional, winning the 10th French Open.
“Even people didn’t think he was going to win the French Open again. For me, only once he retires I believe he won’t win anymore. He’s that good of a player.
“I’m not too surprised he’s back to this magnitude and being back at world No. 1 after all these years is really exceptional, really nice for him.”
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