Federer: 'Saw Nadal grow, right in front of my eyes'

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal own an unforgettable collection of on-court contests and a healthy store of mutual off-court respect for each other.

It is Roger vs Rafa that seems to be the rivalry that stands above others.

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal own an unforgettable collection of on-court contests - including nine Grand Slam finals - and a healthy store of mutual off-court respect for each other.

"I saw him grow, right in front of my eyes,” Federer said in an interview with last year. “I always feel like he’s one of the guys from tennis - players - that I could call up and, if I told him something, it would be a secret between the two of us. And I appreciate that we were able to build a relationship like that.”

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Each has played more matches against Novak Djokovic, who leads his head-to-head series against the other members of the Big Three.

Yet it is Roger vs Rafa that seems to be the rivalry that stands above others. Perhaps because they’re currently Nos. 1-2 for most men’s Grand Slam titles. Or perhaps because of their epic 2008 final at Wimbledon, the tournament supposed to be happening now but canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

READ: Novak Djokovic: 'Big Three' rivalry great promotion for tennis

The dynamic between Federer, 38, and Nadal, 34, has shifted.

"We went in phases a little bit. In the beginning, he was so extremely shy and he was so - how do you say? - like, looking up to me, that he just said, ‘Whatever you say, Roger, I agree with you. Because you’re so important to the game. And I know you want the right thing,’” Federer said. “And over time, he became himself, the dominant player he became, and he started to build his own strong character. ... And then, of course, the rivalry started building.”

Some top men’s tennis rivalries in the Open era, which began in 1968 RAFAEL NADAL VS ROGER FEDERER Meetings- 40 (Nadal, 24-16); Grand Slam Finals- 9 (Nadal, 6-3) -- NOVAK DJOKOVIC VS RAFAEL NADAL Meetings- 55 (Djokovic, 29-26); Grand Slam Finals- 8 (Tied) -- NOVAK DJOKOVIC VS ROGER FEDERER Meetings- 50 (Djokovic, 27-23); Grand Slam Finals- 5 (Djokovic, 4-1) -- JOHN MCENROE VS JIMMY CONNORS VS BJORN BORG McEnroe-Connors- Meetings- 34 (McEnroe 20-14); Grand Slam Finals- 2 (Tied) McEnroe-Borg- Meetings, 14 (Tied); Grand Slam Finals- 4 (McEnroe, 3-1) Borg-Connors- Meetings, 23 (Borg, 15-8); Grand Slam Finals- 4 (Tied) -- STEFAN EDBERG VS BORIS BECKER Meetings- 35 (Becker, 25-10); Grand Slam Finals- 3 (Edberg, 2-1) -- PETE SAMPRAS VS ANDRE AGASSI Meetings- 34 (Sampras, 20-14); Grand Slam Finals- 5 (Sampras 4-1) -- ANDY MURRAY VS NOVAK DJOKOVIC Meetings- 36 (Djokovic 25-11); Grand Slam Finals- 7 (Djokovic, 5-2)