They’re known to share one of the most iconic rivalries in tennis history, and the Greatest of All Time and the King of Clay share a camaraderie, friendship and mutual respect off-court as well.
Nadal leads Federer by a whopping 23-11 margin in their head-to-head rivalry, but it’s the Swiss who has 17 Grand Slams to Nadal’s 14. With the Spaniard currently in what appears to be a steadily declining run of form – he has just crashed out to Austria’s Dominic Thiem at the Argentine Open – and Federer making changes to his coaching side to keep up with his younger contemporaries, it is perhaps Federer who will remain ahead in that regard.
But it is also Nadal who is the only player able to console Federer at his lowest moments, and the two have shared a warm relationship for a number of years.
Federer is silent on court for the most part, not known for noise, emotional outbursts or the screech-as-you-serve technique many of the best seem to employ on the ATP and WTA circuit.
Nadal, meanwhile, is notoriously vocal, screaming and expressing frustration when he loses a point, and putting his now well-known celebratory fist pump on display when he wins.
Federer, partnered by Australian Samantha Stosur, took on the pair of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in an exhibition doubles match to raise funds for the victim of the earthquake in Haiti in 2010.
The Swiss Maestro played to the crowds at Melbourne Park as he imitated Nadal – much to the amusement of chronic mimic Novak Djokovic, who sat down on court, doubled over with laughter watching the proceedings.
In the end, Federer won the point.
Watch the hilarious point:
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