ARTICLES:
No matter what happens on Friday, their latest meeting is a testament to the longevity and staying power of both men. Their first match took place more than 15 years ago at the Miami Open presented by Itau. Many of their peers in the draw that year have long since retired, but Federer and Nadal have not only continued to remain elite players on the ATP Tour, but keep putting themselves in position to win Grand Slam titles.
- Pundits give Nadal edge over Federer | Wimbledon
“Before the tournament, I tipped Federer to win the whole thing, but the way Rafa has been playing, I just think Rafa might do it. It’s going to be very close, but I would give a marginal edge to Rafa.
“People talk about Federer as the great grass court specialist, but Rafa has got a very good record on grass as well. Playing on grass suits him physically – he could well have won the title last year, he was desperately close against Djokovic.”
Newman believes Nadal’s win last month over Federer on the clay of Roland-Garros “might just give Nadal a little bit of a boost. Rafa has won quite a few more matches against Federer than he has lost.”
Rafa’s doing everything right. His serve, his return, his rhythm, his defence … I’m watching from home, breaking down plays as I see them and thinking in my head how I’d be handling every situation, playing every point… I can honestly say he’s doing exactly what I’d be doing or wanting him to be doing. That doesn’t mean I’m right, but the results prove he’s performing at a spectacular level.
“Often we see matches being overhyped but you can’t overhype this one – and rightly so,” three-time Wimbledon champion Boris Becker told BBC Sport.
“It is the biggest match of the year because you’re talking about two greats of the game. I thought it was the best Wimbledon final of all time. So we’re very lucky to have this opportunity again on Friday. It’s the one match that every tennis player alive will tune in for.”
“Probably is better to have that [Roland Garros] victory than to have defeat, of course. But on the other hand, it’s a completely different situation. [To] play on grass or play on clay is probably the biggest change in the world of tennis,” Nadal said. “I think the player who will have the chance to play better… will be the player who has more chances to be through. That’s all. These kinds of matches are like this.”
- Memories of 2008 | Wimbledon
Sue Barker, BBC Wimbledon presenter: “When I think of that match, what I remember the most is going out on the court to do the interview after the match, and feeling the most unbelievably powerful energy going round the Centre Court crowd, because everyone knew they’d seen something incredibly special – an historic match. I’ve been at finals for years and years doing that interview on the court, but that buzz and electricity that was sparking round the Centre Court is something I’ve never witnessed before, or since.”
- Federer v Nadal, Episode 40, By the Numbers | Tennis Now
56-19 The combined record of Nadal (26-5) and Federer (30-14) in Grand Slam semi-finals.
- Federer-Nadal in numbers | Wimbledon
47 – aces struck by Nadal so far this Fortnight – the most among the four semi-finalists – compared with 42 from Federer.
92 – hours and 53 minutes, the time Federer and Nadal have spent in matches against one another throughout their careers.
Immediately after Federer and Nadal won their quarterfinals matches to set up yet another titanic showdown, ticket prices on Stubhub started — started — at about £7000, the equivalent of nearly $9,000 in U.S. dollars.
VIDEOS:
- Who will prevail when Federer and Nadal renew their rivalry? | ESPN
- Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal Wimbledon 2019 semi-final match preview
Yes..Rafa is going to win. This is his Championship without a doubt. Vamos Rafa…BUENA SUERTE my King of tennis
All over internet the level of this hype is annoying. A tennis match is launched as if it would be career making or breaking between two boxing giants. At the end of the day this is only a semi-final match to decide who will play the final of a tournament. Otherwise H2H statistics show who wins more over whom.
Wamos Rafa, you are the best.
all the best vamos
Just feel it will come down to a battle of wills, who tries harder until the end, who has greater self-belief ? In all these respects Rafa wins – plus Rafa’s playing the best ever at Wimbledon probably, Roger’s previous bad losses to Rafa may destroy his confidence and self-belief cometh the hour.
Rafa in 4 maybe even 3 sets for me.
All the best Rafa. Your fans r Sending you positive energy from all over the world. Vamos💪💪💪
This match should be on every channel!!!!!
I Believe in you!!
WE Believe in you!!
Take it to him Rafa!!
VAMOS RAFA!!!!!!!!
To Nickie,
Why don’t you put your message urging on Roger to get the win on his fan site? I wouldn’t be surprised if you are actually Nicole who always cheers on Rafa’s rivals. Please take your misery elsewhere.
Rafa, come what may, all your fans around the world, just want you to know we are right behind you. 🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥Directing all our positive energy towards you. We, know you are going to give your best, no matter who your opponent is.
Good luck, to you my dear Rafa. 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
Love you always. 💙💖💙💖💙💜💛💚💛💙💖
Rafa, we all know you are the best
Just get it tomorrow and Shnday,please
Vas’y Federer . Va chercher la victoire 🙏😍
Vamos Rafa! You are killing it this tournament. It is obvious the love you guys have for each other. I admire you both greatly but I’m pulling for you! Do your thing, win it!
Hype means ticket sales. Roger and Rafael must just laugh, and get ready to play their game. Having seen them both at autograph sessions, they were patient and accommodating with many pushy fans. Who can deny that these two players are in another stratosphere from the rest? We are lucky.👏👍💪🤛🙏🎾❤️
Very very emotional. Can’t wait for the match.
Vamos Rafa <3 we are all with you.
No doubt both Roger and Rafa wanted to win this match so much but I believe Rafa has a better chance, he has been playing better with tougher opponents so far, also, Roger has more pressure than Rafa in my opinion.
Go Rafa, we are with you! Good luck🍀 Vamos💪❤️
Rafa was dowgraded by Wimb…. in order to promote RF. Rafa conquered a nightmare draw. Now all pundits who were against Rafa are terrified their golden goose RF might loose. RF had a walk in the park draw. Rafa will be playing against RF who would cheat if he could, a crowd of RF hooligan fans, fans of RF such as Rod Laver and British royalty who will cheer for him. No wonder the hype of a semi-final is as though it were a final. At the end of the day, for RF beating Rafa is as far as he can arrive. To RF It is a matter of honour and of maintaining the undisputed GOAT status. No matter Rafa knows how to cope with this pressure. Hope he relinquishes this challenge and does his best to defeat RF in 3 sets. Rafa should save his energy for the final.
Wamos Rafa, you are the best.
Puma, you said it!!
Agree.
RAFA NADAL IS BY FAR THE ULTIMATE GOAT!!!!!!:) NO ONE COMES NEAR HIS BRILLIANT COURT PRESENCE , HIS FEISTY AGGRESSIVE POWER, HIS COURT SPEED, HIS BLESSED EFFECTIVE SERVE, HIS BRILLIANT FH AND BH, HIS MAGICAL NET COVERAGE, HIS FIGHTING FOR EACH BALL, HIS EXTRAORDINARY DRIVE, HIS BRILLIANT WORK ETHIC, HIS BLESSED SHARP FOCUS AND HIS MIGHTY BEST EVER ENDURANCE!!!!!!!!! SO YES RAFA NADAL IS THE GOAT OF TENNIS HISTORY!!!!! MOST RELEVANT TOP PLAYER AND EARNED ALL HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND TITLES AND TROPHIES WITH HIS HARD WORK, PRECIOUS SWEAT AND BRILLIANT EFFORT!!!!
VAMOS RAFA NADAL WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!
Playing even better now! Wow! Really looking forward to seeing you!
I’m not so sure this would be the biggest match of the year! I doubt the match would live up to expectations or the hype. It may be finished in three or four sets, who knows.
Their recent FO match was of high quality given the conditions but imo, if not for the windy conditions, Rafa would’ve finished off Fed even quicker. It’s not only Fed who’s affected by the wind, Rafa too, that he couldn’t unleash his FH the way he would in normal conditions.
I don’t think I’m ever going to be ready for this! Fingers and toes crossed for Rafa.
Yes you are going to win Rafa .good luck champ tomorrow vamosssssssss all the way 💪💪💪💪😘🎾❤️👍😘🎾❤️💪👍😘🎾❤️💪🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🌎🌎🌎👍😘🎾❤️💪👍😘🎾❤️💪👍😘🎾❤️💪🇺🇸❤️