Roger Federer: In the Beginning I Struggled to Embrace the Rivalry With Nadal [Video]
With the rain falling in Miami, ESPN just ran an excellent interview with Roger Federer who spoke about his rivalry with Rafael Nadal.
Federer said: “So in the beginning I guess I struggled to embrace the rivalry I had with Rafa. Only later on I was able to say this is actually quite cool. Sleeveless, pirate pants, you name it, long hair, lefty, spins, more with the flat shots and so forth and double-handed against one-handed, lefty against righty. I think it all kind of made sense, and I was able to embrace it then.”
Federer added that he was disappointed with the outcome of his match against Gilles Simon. Simon had to retire three games in because of a sore neck. Federer may not be tested but at least he’s well rested!
Also, notice how clearly Federer remembers his matches from 6-7 years ago. That photographic memory is a trait that many top tennis pros have.
Federer and Nadal will play in the Sony Ericsson Open semifinals tonight at 7pm. It’s their first meeting in the US since 2005. All three of their contests in America have come in Miami/Key Biscayne.
Here’s the video interview:
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