Rafael Nadal may be on the verge of a 38th meeting with Roger Federer at the US Open, but he does draw a line between the two.
The top seed dropped just five games against Andrey Rublev to move into the last four in Flushing Meadows. He remains on course for his first ever clash with Federer in New York. Although the Swiss player needs to defeat former champion Juan Martin del Potro first.
Over the years both players have expressed admiration for each other, but Nadal doesn’t want the world to get too carried away about their bond.
“I don’t want to look like I’m gonna be his boyfriend.” Nadal joked when asked what he admires about Federer. “We don’t want to talk (about) these kind of things before an important match.”
Reflecting upon their head-to-head, which Nadal leads 24-13, he believes it has helped shaped the sport. Since their first meeting in 2004, they have faced each other in nine grand slam finals and 11 Masters 1000 finals. The US Open remains the only grand slam where they have yet played against each other.
“We have a lot of respect for each other. We played a lot of times. I think we did important things for tennis. We appreciate that. We always had a good relationship.”
Speaking specifically about the 36-year-old, Nadal believes he is a ’great ambassador to the sport’ due to his longevity. Federer has won 93 titles so far in career, including a record 19 grand slam titles. Four more than Nadal.
“I think he always have been a great ambassador for tennis and for our sport, with a good image and representing good values.” He said.
“One important thing that is a great example for kids, after a lot of years and winning more than anybody, he still has the passion to keep doing what he did during all his career.”
The prospect of a first meeting at the US Open with Federer is one the Spaniard describes as ‘strange.’ Still, the 31-year-old has vowed to be ready for Friday’s semifinal regardless of who he will play.
“I’m excited to be in the semifinal, most of anything.” He concluded. “Happy the way I played today, and let’s see what’s gonna happen tonight and let’s see which opponent I have in that semifinals.”
This season, Nadal had lost to Federer three consecutive times in Melbourne, Indian Wells and Miami.
