Federer, Nadal bring storied rivalry to India

MANILA, Philippines – Drama, anticipation, and the answer to the question of who is the GOAT (greatest of all time) are just some of the reasons why the rivalry between Swiss maestro Roger Federer and the Spanish bull Rafael Nadal is a storied one. 

With their contrasting playing and sartorial styles on court, their meetings are always a treat for tennis fans. Tennis pundits have described the "FeDal" rivalry as "skill versus strength"; "precision versus endurance"; "ice versus fire"; and other elements that make their matches exciting. 

With Federer set to join his team the Obi UAE Royals in the India leg of the second season of the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL), and Nadal still playing for the Micromax Indian Aces, the two are again set to meet. 

Here we list some of the greatest matches between the two and proving why their rivalry is known as one of the, if not the, best rivalries in tennis: 

1. 2008 Wimbledon championship - Lasting  by nearly five hours, this match is often referred to as the greatest tennis match of all time. In 2006 and 2007, the two also battled it out for the Wimbledon crown and Federer had always prevailed. Their third meeting for the Wimbledon championship, Nadal prevailed in five sets. 
    
2. 2009 Australian Open championship - It was their first Grand Slam final outside of the French Open and Wimbledon. And the match lasted five sets, with Nadal prevailing , giving his first hard court major and denying Federer a chance then to tie Pete Sampras' 14 grand slams. 
    
3. 2006 Wimbledon championships - Federer won in four sets against his nemesis, capturing his fourth consecutive Wimbledon crown.   
    
4. 2011 French Open - This was their first Grand Slam meeting since the last 2009 Australian Open. Nadal is not called the "King of Clay" for nothing, once again asserting his dominance on the red dirt surface of Roland Garros. 
    
5. Miami Masters R3 2004 - Tennis fans weren't aware then that this match between the two would be the first of their storied rivalry. The. 17-year-old Nadal (then ranked 34th in the world) upset then world number 1 Federer. Nadal took many by surprise by beating Federer in straight sets.