Rafael Nadal Eager to Face Roger Federer in US Open Final

August 28, 2019

As the final Grand Slam tournament of the season, the US Open at Flushing Meadows in New York is always famed for serving up fantastic tennis, plus more than a few surprises along the way. There’s also the prospect of thrilling duels between the greatest players.

The friendly yet highly competitive rivalry between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer has left us with many jaw-dropping moments of tennis over the years, and in numerous tournaments around the world; quite surprisingly, the two have never had to face each other at the US Open.

The closest the pair ever came to meeting on-court at the US Open was back in 2017. However, that opportunity was narrowly missed when Federer suffered a quarter-final defeat against Juan Martín del Potro, with the Argentine progressing instead to face Nadal in the semi-finals. Nadal eventually won the title in New York, beating Kevin Anderson in the final.

Now that both players are in the twilight of their respective careers, particularly for the 38-year-old Swiss star, the chances of a blockbuster encounter between Nadal and Federer at the US Open are growing ever slimmer.

Novak Djokovic, Nadal and Federer, with many fans undoubtedly hoping at least two of them will reach the final. This is something that Spanish star Nadal also hopes to see as a participant, although the chance to face Federer in the final is what he relishes most of all, providing the two can get there. 33-year-old Nadal is filled with hope that in 2019, there’s every possibility the two could eventually meet in the final this year.

“Every year it’s more complicated that it happens,” Nadal underlined, during an interview with Eurosport just ahead of the US Open, adding that “it’s a shame” the two have never met at any stage of the tournament in New York, having met frequently at other Grand Slam and leading tennis tournaments over the years.

“I will do as much as possible and I’m sure he will too,” insisted second seed Nadal, eager that both he and third seed Federer will produce their best form at the US Open this year. Given the format of the draw, with the two players in different halves, the only opportunity for them to meet this year would be in the final. Certainly a relishing prospect for both players.