Every now and then, you hear or read just the slightest bit of pique from one to another, Roger Federer to Rafael Nadal and vice-versa. Usually, it happens during their actual matches over a line call or Nadal's propensity for gamesmanship via repeatedly bouncing the ball -- ad nauseum - before serving.
Every now and then, you almost get sick of what can sometimes seem a contrived mutual admiration society, as when Nadal would insist that Federer was still No. 1 even as it became evident over the last year or so that a changing of the guard had happened.
Better, Federe's statement to Sports Illustrated that he preferred it when he had no real rival. Honest. Refreshing. But still obviously respectful.
And otherwise, this truly does seem a legitimately friendly rivalry.
Witness Federer, the newly-crowned French Open champion - benefitting, obviously, from Clay King Nadal's surprising early ouster but let's not take away from the majestic Federer's worthy triumph; he has been an exemplary player and ambassador for the game and is a personal favourite - and his words with respect to the possibility Nadal may have to withdraw from Wimbledon due to knee woes.
"I was surprised to see him pull out of Queen's (Wimbledon warmup tournament) and now the debate that he might pull out of Wimbledon is quite frightening," Federer said in media reports. "I don't like to see it, because you want the best to be playing in the biggest events. . . I only wish him the best and I hope it's not true that he will miss Wimbledon."
In this rivalry, you actually believe Federer is sincere.
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