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Rivals Nadal and Federer find it's good to talk
(China Daily)
Updated: 2005-10-24 05:19
"Now, I've spoken to him during this Masters Series. He told me he wants to
get to Shanghai. I hope he will be there. It's better for us if he's there."
Spain's Rafael Nadal bites the China Open
trophy during the prize presentation ceremony at the Beijing Tennis Centre
in Beijing September 18, 2005. Top seed Nadal beat Argentina's Guillermo
Coria 5-7 6-1 6-2 to win the China Open on Sunday, securing his 10th title
of the year.[Reuters] |
Even in the heat of a world-class rivalry likely to last for some years,
Nadal is able to consistently keep his perspective.
"We have a good relationship," said the Spaniard.
"Federer's not only No 1 and a great person; he's a man who's calm and quiet,
a good person.
"He's nice, that's the most important thing."
Heavens above
On court, Nadal surpassed Federer's season total of 77 wins on Saturday -
with a little help from the heavens.
Nadal, who secured a 7-5, 7-6 (7/1) victory over Robby Ginepri to reach the
final of the 2.1-million-euro Madrid Masters, has been struggling with injury
and has had his knee support bands touched by holy water from the shrine of
Lourdes.
"Seriously, it's to prevent the impact," said Nadal.
"It's not miraculous, but it soothes the pain."
Spain's teenaged Roland Garros champion now has 78 victories in 2005, one
more than Federer who is sitting out the next few weeks with ankle ligament
damage.
Nadal beat the error-prone American Ginepri to put himself into a Sunday
final against Croatian Ivan Ljubicic, winner of his last 15 matches, with two
titles in two weeks.
The Croatian eighth seed enters his third final in as
many weeks on the back of titles in Metz and Vienna.
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