Federer on Nadal:
“We are so very different in how we approach things. Yet if you scratch underneath the surface you realize that we're probably quite similar in some shape or form, you know."
Nadal on Federer:
“I do admire Federer’s style and those who don’t, either they don’t know about tennis, or even if you’re someone else’s fan, you need to be able to recognize excellence and Federer is excellent in every sense.”
Nadal on the rivalry:
“I play a different style of Federer’s, of course. Evidently, I play a very different game than Federer’s. Each point is important to me. To Federer, not all points are equally important, because he knows his serve is very hard to miss. So, he can be confident playing other points I can’t, he plays making more unintentional mistakes than me, because his style is more…I don’t know...I’d say aggressive, but he does take much more risks than me."
Federer on the rivalry:
“This is where rivals become an important part of your career, you know. Especially him being a left-hander and me being a right-hander. He's got the double-handed backhand. Me, I've got the one-handed. He grunts. I don't. He's got the pirate pants. I don't. He's got the sleeveless shirt. I don't. So everything's different. He's very shy in personality off the court. On the court I may be more shy and off the court I may be more, you know, outgoing. Maybe more loud, who knows. And maybe that’s where he may be more shy. So, it's a very interesting contrast and I think that's why our rivalry was or still is so loved by so many people. Either you're team Rafa or you're team Roger, it’s hard for the fans to go on both sides. Today, I feel they can because they just feel like it’s so great that we’re still both at the game at this later stage of our career.”