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
Djoker is going to roast the winner anyways
HAHA… I can stomach a loss to Federer now, but not Djoker in a final:):):)
Rafa showed up for one set today.
Rafa is getting desperate now and you can see it in his face. All Roger has to do is to keep the ball in play and wait for an error on the other side of the net.
There’s no zip in Rafa’s shots. Add all the errors, and it could be home time for our boy.
You gonna give us some hope or what, champ???
Come on Rafa. U r a fighter. Show it let the beast come out
SWEETHEART MAKE SURE YOU GET GOOD WATER BOTTLES …….ONLY GIVEN TO YOU BY SOMEONE ON YOUR OWN TEAM…….SEEMS YOUR LEGS HEAVIER THAN USUAL AND I AM WONDERING CONCERN…….INCASE YOU ARE DRINKING NOT ONLY WATER…..
BEAUTIFUL LONG POINT WIN 30:15 on r serve…GO RAFA GO!!!!!!:)
YOUR ENERGY IS LEGGING AND I PRAY MY CONCERN IS WRONG…..
Has Rafa given up already in his mind? There’s no sense of urgency about him right now. It’s simply a battle of wills at this point, and Roger is dominating.
Love you champ! Maybe it’s some love Rafa needs:)
So one set from grass court specialist??? Is that it ?? Come on Raf
Y is Rafa doing this
Ahhhhhh !!
Can’t watch anymore! Need to breathe. But I will be praying. Good luck Rafa and Rafans
In every aspect right now, Federer is playing much better than our champ. Rafa seems to be barely hanging on in this 4th set, and still a break down.
Create some chances Rafa!!
Oh dear! That backhand of Roger’s is hurting Rafa. It’ll need a monumental effort for Rafa to change things around now. Praying that Roger gets nervous and starts spraying the ball but he looks calm and confident. HOLD ON TO YOUR SERVE RAFA! PLEASE!
Roger is hurting Rafa more than Rafa is hurting Roger.
Where is the fire that Rafa had against Kyrgios??? Find it quick champ!
15-40.
Roger looks too relaxed. Rada needs to put him under more pressure.
I often feel that the intensity is lacking especially compared to roger and Novak. Or is it mental and is he so nervous and that’s why so tight? He’s not playing at all like in the rest of the tournament and even though his opponent is tough h still can compete. He’s capable of beating everybody but he doesn’t seem to believe it.
Maybe he didn’t analyse Roger’s present game correctly.
How many chances is he going to get. The clock is ticking.
Hoping against hope here
I think he figured out Rafa lately and this is his last chance of winning a slam
Game is over
Don’t let him into your head. New set, new start. Come on champ. U can do it. We r with u
But he is playing like 2017 match against muller and djokovic in 2018…i am having same feelings here… Please Rafa wake up and smash him
Ok. You can claw it back Rafa Don’t panic and don’t get nervous. Think!
Yes His positive attitude needed here… Hope He can edge him here
Very disappointing set from Rafa. It’s as if he does not want this match as much as Federer wants it. Rafa needs to wake up in the 4th set or Wimbledon 2019 is over for him.
Federer’s game right now seems to be just waiting for errors and short balls from Rafa and capitalizing on them.
Wake up Rafa, you can do this!!!
Oh dear! Rafa please increase your intensity level. Sending u support and positive vibes. U can do it champ. Stay calm. Vamos💪💪💪
Not watching! Don’t know what happens to Rafa when he plays roger or Novak in recent years. I hope this is not a repeat of the AO – even though this is a semi final not final. Playing excellently in previous matches and then ……. . At least if he plays well close to his best or best then …. .
Well…… hope things change