Federer relishing Nadal rivalry

Eurosport - Fri, 13 Mar 12:26:00 2009

Refreshed after taking a break to resolve a lingering back injury, Roger Federer is eager to resume his rivalry with Rafael Nadal at ATP Indian Wells.

TENNIS Federer Nadal giving each other hugs - 0

Federer, sidelined since losing last month's Australian Open final to the Spaniard, said he was more motivated than ever to end a losing streak of five matches against Nadal.

The Swiss world number two, a three-times champion at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, is seeded to meet top-ranked Nadal in the tournament final.

"I love playing matches against him, especially those five-setters, seeing if I can hang with him physically without a problem," said Federer. "He's the greatest challenger I've ever had."

"I am really motivated because I don't know how much better he can play. I don't know how much better I can play but I am right there and he's playing the tennis of his life."

Federer was unable to seal a record-equalling 14th grand slam singles title after losing to Nadal in a five-set thriller at Melbourne Park, but he was largely pleased with his performance.

"I thought I played a great match for four-and-a-half sets," the 27-year-old said. "I guess I let go a little bit at the end. He looked tired and I couldn't take advantage of it.

"I think I played great off the baseline, I just didn't serve great and I think that cost me the match also.

"He's a great player at the moment," Federer said of the Spanish left-hander, whose last three victories against the Swiss have come in grand slam finals.

"He has proved himself on all surfaces now and I guess it all started for him when he beat me comfortably at the (2008) French Open. He forgot how it feels losing and I had lost to him a couple of times before that."

Federer said he would continue working with Swiss Davis Cup captain Severin Luthi as his part-time coach after an experiment last month with Australian Darren Cahill had been abandoned.

"I am very happy with Severin," he added. "We have been working the last one-and-a-half years together, so nothing really changes. I just continue with the great team that I have."

Reuters

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  1. So glad to hear that Roger F is back again - he is­ obviously still the most exquisite player to watch, his­ style is just second to none. Shame that Nadal is such­ a fighter - as his tennis is so boring to watch. ­ Congrats to Federer and his girlfriend - let's hope­ they have a little boy and his is also an exquisite­ player like his father. I would finally like to add -­ why do we just keep seeing pictures of Murray spread­ everywhere. Just because he is British why should we­ keep seeing his ugly face everywhere. Please Sky, try­ and take his face off your front pages all the time. ­ Lets of have more of Nadal and Federer, especially,­ Federer.

    From jan.corbett, on Sat 14 Mar 10:06PM

  2. Godd luck to both of them progressing as far as they­ can go in Indian Wells. Sure it will be as hard as hell­ to get up to the finals with so many potential good­ players around who see this sort of surface apt for­ more than one nasty surprise in defeating top seeds.­
    Vamos Campeon Nadal. Show them again why only you are­ the Number One in World tennis!!!

    From AndJustice4All, on Fri 13 Mar 11:22PM

  3. ALISON AND AJ SUCH NICE COMMENTS AS PER USUAL.
    ALISON.

    From Nicholas, on Fri 13 Mar 9:54PM

  4. I wish that Nadal or Fed could simply read those who­ insult them or say theyre taking drugs, and report this­ to the police. So that people wouldnt dare to trash­ them with lies again, just because its illegal.

    From alvarort2008, on Fri 13 Mar 8:10PM

  5. both guys (Nadal and Fededer) are obiviously the best,­ seeing them in another final will be a delight.

    From Kayode, on Fri 13 Mar 10:10AM

  6. again Federer's haters to say wrong things about­
    did he really belittle his oponent???
    you didn't­ understand his speech to this limit ?????
    if so please­ go and have your study back

    From ola azmy, on Fri 13 Mar 12:49AM

  7. Goodnews for federer and all his fans, now i can­ understand why he was having all the back pains and the­ front pains, well nadal is always there to make the­ pain become more painful for federer, lol

    From Mba E, on Fri 13 Mar 12:38AM
  8. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Roger is gonna need a paternity test , because guess­ what ,Nadal is the father.
    Roger you are­ history.
    Murray is waiting for you.

    From james k, on Thu 12 Mar 10:32PM
  9. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Ha Ha, so Roger's looking forward to getting his­ @#$% kicked again? I believe him ..... not!

    From Hot Red Clay, on Thu 12 Mar 7:55PM

  10. It is really a great news about Mirka's pregnancy.­ I trust this happiness will get Roger an extra­ motivation and just joy of playing! Good luck to Roger­ tenniswise and otherwise and a lot of happiness to the­ both of them (and their baby). Lets hopeto see Roger­ keeping a trophy and the baby on court! Wouldn't­ this be awesome?

    From ya, on Thu 12 Mar 6:08PM

  11. AHH WHAT NICE NEWS TO HEAR THAT ROGER FEDERER AND­ GIRLFRIEND MIRKA ARE EXPECTING THEIR FIRST CHILD.ALL­ THE VERY BEST TO THEM.
    GOOD LUCK IN INDIAN WELLS ROGER­ HOPE YOU IN THE FINAL VS RAFA.

    From AJ, on Thu 12 Mar 6:05PM

  12. i will be happy if they reach indian wells final and i­ would be more happy if nadal won the title , vamos­ rafa!

    From Giovanni, on Thu 12 Mar 5:42PM

  13. I can't wait to see my two tennis idols battle it­ out again at the finals, but then they have to scale­ the hurdles of djokovic and andy. it'd be a nice­ tournament!!!!

    From Nyanyui, on Thu 12 Mar 5:27PM

  14. AUS - I wish he could do the same as couple years ago.­ But so far it doesn't look like it with Nadal in­ the field. It is not like he only lost few matches to­ Nadal. It clearly influenced his ability to play some­ decent steady game too.

    From risimko, on Thu 12 Mar 4:19PM

  15. I LOVE WATCHING ROGER VS RAFA MATCHES SO­ ENTERTAINING.LETS HOPE THEY MEET IN INDIAN WELLS AND­ GIVE US A GOOD SHOW AGAIN.ALL THE VERY BEST TO BOTH­ MEN.

    From AJ, on Thu 12 Mar 4:18PM

  16. It's kind off Nadal's era or something... but­ if you look back 2-3 years ago Federer dealing with his­ opponents... its not boring too look at.. just a­ reminder: the master serie in 2007 when Federer faces­ Ferrer.. its just a big torture for Ferrer but great to­ look at both mens game.

    From aus11123, on Thu 12 Mar 4:05PM

  17. Ok since RG, it doesnt matter now is now?

    From aus11123, on Thu 12 Mar 3:57PM

  18. Ur talking about RG and thats gravel, nadal has proves­ he can win on all surfaces but hard is still not his­ favourite underground so its still a different story.

    From aus11123, on Thu 12 Mar 3:56PM

  19. AUS - well as a great admirer of Federer I have to­ acknowledge that the way Nadals is dealing with his­ oponents since RG last year, that is really something.­ And as an objective fan I also have to acknowledge that­ Federer is not quite doing the same.

    From risimko, on Thu 12 Mar 3:42PM

  20. everyone here says federer first need to get to the­ final but did someone realise that nadal also have a­ schedule with djokovic and it isnt last week on gravel­ but its on hardcourt...

    From aus11123, on Thu 12 Mar 3:09PM
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