Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal

Q. Can you tell us what you admire about Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, I guess in essence it’s the same thing, they’re great competitors, great movers and great ball strikers if you are talking tennis, they both have something extra special. But then again Rafa has even something more, just because of his results, what he’s been able to show over such a long period of time. He was one of the greatest teenagers ever, you know with Björn Borg. To me he deserves a lot of respect. But I also think that Novak’s run … I also have a lot of respect for that. His reaction after losing the [2010] US Open finals which was a huge chance, playing Rafa there, and maybe being the favourite was great. Instead of sticking his head in the sand after losing that final, he came out of it and sort of went on a tear. This was very nice to see.

Personality-wise, I know Rafa much better than Novak. Through the ATP Player council, even though Novak was on the council too, but I do speak to Rafa more. I’ve played exhibitions with Rafa, so I’ve seen him more on a laid-back sort of atmosphere. I’ve been on flights with him. I just came on the same flight now from Zurich, so we tend to run into each other so many times, and we’ve done so many things together to promote the game, that I really know Rafa well as he’s a very nice guy.