The newest layer to the epic rivalry between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will be added on Sunday when they face off for the Australian Open title in Melbourne. To celebrate their 35th career meeting, here are 35 facts about these two legends of the sport. 35: Federer, 35, bids to become the second-oldest Slam champion in the Open Era (Rosewall: 1970 US Open, 1971 and 1972 Australian Open). 34: In their 34th and most recent meeting at 2015 Basel, Federer defeated Nadal for record 7th Basel title. 33: Federer snapped Nadal's 33-match unbeaten run on clay courts with a 6-4, 6-4 victory in the 2009 Madrid final. 32: During Nadal's career-best 32-match win streak in 2008, he beat Federer...
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal first met in 2004 in Miami. Who won the first clash in their storied rivalry? Watch epic Federer-Nadal matches at TennisTV.com, Grand Slam matches not available. Photo: Getty Images
It's true that once the Australian Open draw was made, there was a possibility for Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal to meet in the final. And while it was a possibility hardly whispered on social media, as the fortnight went on and the Swiss star beat Stan Wawrinka to reach the championship match, all eyes were on the Spaniard to make that possibility a reality. He did just that, defeating Grigor Dimitrov in five sets to set a 35th meeting with Federer, the trophy in Melbourne on the line. Here's what social media had to say once a "Fedal" final came to fruition: Fasten your seat belts RAFA vs ROGER final is back #AusOpen— Juan Monaco (@picomonaco) January 27, 2017...
Roger Federer will attempt to win his 18th Grand Slam championship crown against his old foe Rafael Nadal or Grigor Dimitrov on Sunday after a battling performance in the Australian Open semi-finals. The 35-year-old Swiss superstar, who recently returned to top-level tennis after a six-month injury lay-off, booked a spot in his 28th Grand Slam final with a 7-5, 6-3, 1-6, 4-6, 6-3 victory over his compatriot Stan Wawrinka, the 2014 titlist and fourth seed. Federer will now compete for his fifth crown in his sixth Australian Open final on Sunday night, when he will attempt to become the first No. 17 seed to win a major since Pete Sampras won the final professional match of his career at the...
Much like their tennis careers have evolved over the years, so, too, has Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka's friendship. Years ago, Wawrinka would frequently ask his compatriot for tips on how to play certain guys. Federer would kindly oblige, and Wawrinka would execute the game plans that Federer shared. “That showed me that he's a great player, that he's got a mind of somebody who understands what I'm trying to explain to him,” Federer said after his Australian Open quarter-final win. “Some players, you tell them something, they've just got no clue what to do, what it means. Stan had that early on, so I think he was a great learner.” Years passed, Federer kept hauling titles, but Wawrinka also...