Roger Federer during the press conference ahead of the Match for Africa 2020 (Getty)
Record Grand Slam winner Roger Federer opened up about his relationship with long-time rival Rafael Nadal ahead of the sixth Match for Africa.
Federer has held this event to raise money for the Roger Federer Foundation and has been able to bring in over $1m each year.
This year, there is a singles match between Federer and Nadal while the doubles match includes a couple of celebs in Bill Gates and Trevor Noah.
Tickets have already been sold out for the huge clash between two of the best, which will take place in Cape Town, South Africa.
The Swiss ace landed in the country yesterday and took on several questions ahead of the clash.
One reporter asked him about his relationship and rivalry with Nadal, and the Swiss ace admitted that they were friends but not the closest:
“It’s nice to call one of your biggest rivals also one of your friends. He’s not my closest friend and I am not his closest friend.
“He’s got his whole Mallorca way of life with all his best friends, but on the road, I think we really understand each other very well. We like seeing each other and also chatting together and making sure that tennis moves forward the right way.”
Federer added that the pair have also worked on several promotions together and also charitable events such as the bushfire relief match in Australian.
The Swiss maestro also touched upon a younger Rafa that came to the circuit and had respect for all that the Spaniard achieved:
“I remember when he was younger and he was so shy and he was looking up to me and he said ‘Whatever Roger wants, I am happy’ and then he grew into a much stronger character and we still had a good time but obviously, the rivalry grew as we were 1 and 2 and 2 and 1 [rankings] the whole time.
“We see life a little differently but I think we have the ultimate respect for one another, like I have for anybody who has achieved as much as he has, regardless of all the records he is to break of mine or vice versa. I think we are happy for one another.”
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Federer and Nadal are 1 and 2 in terms of most Grand Slams won, but they have a great understanding of the sport and an incredible amount of respect too.
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