Top 5 encounters between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal 

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Probably the greatest rivalry in sporting history. The two players have played some extremely thrilling encounters amongst themselves.

Their rivalry began in the year 2004 with Nadal upsetting Federer in Miami, 6-3, 6-3. Since then, they went on to face each other 37 more times, their latest encounter coming at Shanghai last year, which Federer won in straight sets.

Overall, Nadal leads the head-to-head 23-15, however, despite that, the two players have put on a great show whenever they have stepped out on court.

Let's take a look at the top 5 encounters between the two superstars:

#5 Australian Open 2017 Final

Both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal defied the odds to reach the final in 2017. Federer had come back from a six-month layoff and was ranked no. 17. Nadal, on the other hand, was not in great form coming into the tournament. However, the two players battled their way into the final and had an epic encounter.

The match began with Federer gaining the upper-hand in the first set with extremely attacking tennis, thus leading to an early break for the Swiss Maestro. Federer held on to his serve and grabbed the first set.

Nadal came back fighting to win the second set and was about to grab an early break in the third, however, Federer held on to his serve in the first game and then broke Nadal twice to take the third set. However, Nadal came back fighting to win the fourth and grab an early break in the final set.

After saving many break points, he was finally broken in the sixth game. Federer did not look back from there and broke Nadal in the eighth game and served out to win the match and his first Grand Slam in five years and his 18th title overall.

Result: Roger Federer def. Rafael Nadal 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3

#4 NASDAQ-1OO Open final, Miami, 2005

Federer celebrates after defeating Nadal

This was just the second encounter between the two players. Nadal had defeated Federer just a year ago at the same venue in straight sets.

He came extremely close to doing so once again when he was two sets up and 5-3 up in the tie-break as well. However, Federer came back to win four straight points and win the set.

There was no turning back from there as he went on to win the next two sets with ease, playing some ruthless attacking tennis. The fifth set was extremely one-sided as Federer dominated Nadal and won 6-1.

This was the first time that Federer had won the Sunshine Double in his career, i.e winning Indian Wells and Miami back-to-back. Most recently, he achieved that feat last year as well, defeating Nadal at Miami once again.

Result: Federer d. Nadal 2-6 6-7(4), 7-6(5), 6-3, 6-1

#3 Australian Open 2009 Final

Nadal consoles Federer after the final

The final of the first Grand Slam of the year in 2009 was a tense affair, with Nadal toppling Federer in a five-set encounter to win his first ever Australian Open title.

Federer had come into the final looking to avenge his defeat at Wimbledon the previous year, where Nadal defeated him in to win his first Slam on grass.

Federer was also looking to win his 14th Grand Slam, thus equaling Pete Sampras' record. The match started off with Federer earning an early break and going up 4-2. However, he squandered that opportunity and let Nadal back into the set. The Spaniard went on to win the first and the third, thus going up 2 sets to 1.

He had break opportunities in the fourth as well but Federer fought back and took it to a fifth. However, Nadal, despite playing the longest ever Australian Open match against Fernando Verdasco in the semifinal, kept his nerve and won the fifth set comfortably.

Final score: Nadal d. Federer 7-5, 3-6, 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-2

#2 Internazionali BNL d’Italia final, Rome, 2006

ATP Masters Series - Rome

This was probably one of the closely fought and one of the longest matches between the two players - clocking in at five hours and five minutes.

This was the sixth encounter between the two players, with Nadal having a healthy 4-1 lead. Federer was looking to get a win under his belt after losing to Nadal just a couple months prior to their meeting in Rome.

However, it was not to be as Nadal ousted him a thrilling encounter, which saw him save match points while serving at 15-40, 5-6 in the final set. Federer had two chances to convert them but missed two forehands, thus giving his opponent the game. Nadal kept his nerve in the tie-break to win the match and the Rome title as well.

Final score: Nadal d. Federer 6-7(0), 7-6(5), 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(5)

#1 Wimbledon 2008 Final

The Championships - Wimbledon 2008 Day Thirteen

There is no doubt that the Wimbledon final played between Federer and Nadal in 2008 was their best match ever, and probably one of the greatest matches of all time.

Federer was coming into the final looking to win the title for a sixth time in a row, thus surpassing Bjorn Borg's record of winning it five times in a row - a record which he had equalled in 2007.

Nadal, on the other hand, was looking to win his first ever Slam on grass, having lost to Federer in 2006 and 2007. He was high on confidence, having defeated his arch-nemesis in extremely convincing fashion at the French Open just a month prior to thier meeting at the All England Club.

What ensued was probably the best tennis the two players had ever played in their lives. In the end, after four hours and 48 minutes and after multiple rain delays, Nadal, while serving at 8-7, was on his back in celebration after Federer hit his forehand into the net.

Final score: Nadal d. Federer 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-7(8), 9-7