Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are the 2 players that have most slam titles under their belts on the ATP tour. Rafa (19) is still 1 slam shy from Roger (20) and they are also watching their back as Novak Djokovic is well on his way to catch them with 17 majors.

Federer didn’t retire, because of Nadal

During a recent interview with Eurosport, Francisco Roig, shared his view that Rafa’s success is pushing Roger Federer to play more and they are instrumental in improving each other’s tennis. Roig commented:

“Probably if Rafa didn’t exist, maybe Roger might have already stopped playing tennis five years ago. But because of this, I think one makes the other one better.“

It’s amazing I think all these three guys Novak, Roger and Rafa. Maybe because they are together on this run, in this race, one motivates the others.

Rafa’s ambition is huge. I mean, I can sometimes see with Rafa, he’s winning a tournament, a 250 tournament in the ATP, and he’s so happy about that a guy who has won 19 Grand Slams!”

Nadal has just resumed his training in Mallorca. His quest for equalling Roger Federer’s slam record was delayed by the Coronavirus pandemic. However, his favorite tournament (the Roland Garros) is still scheduled to be played by the end of September.

 

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Rafael Nadal’s ranking and performance in 2020

Currently the world no.2, the Spaniard played his last match on the 29th of February when he defeated Taylor Fritz 6-3 6-2 in the final in Acapulco to win his 85th career title.

Presently, this year the Spaniard has a 13-3 win-loss record. Nadal clinched 1 title in Acapulco.

Roger Federer’s ranking and performance in 2020

Ranked world no.4, the Swiss played his last match on the 30th of January when he was defeated by Novak Djokovic 7-61 6-4 6-3 in the semifinal of the Australian Open.

Roger Federer’s most significant result of this season was getting to the semi-finals at the Australian Open.

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer played each other 40 times. The head to head is 24-16 for Nadal. The last time that they competed against each other, Roger Federer won 7-63 1-6 6-3 6-4 in the semifinal in London (Wimbledon) in July 2019.

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer

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