Roger Federer once differentiated his playing style from that of arch-rival Rafael Nadal, explaining why he couldn’t emulate the Spaniard’s approach. Nevertheless, the Swiss expressed his admiration for Nadal’s “amazing” game.

I could never play that way, I need change" - When Roger Federer distanced his approach from Rafael Nadal's strategy of 'playing each point the same'

When Nadal burst onto the scene as a teenager, he began to challenge Federer’s unmatched dominance on tour. Nadal proved a worthy adversary to the Swiss, as the duo established one of the most captivating rivalries on tour with their closely contested battles on the biggest stages of the sport.

The compelling nature of their rivalry was heightened by the visually pleasing contrast in their styles of play, which the Spaniard has previously described as “elegance against a warrior.”

Rafael Nadal also captivated audiences through his unique rituals, such as his meticulous positioning of water bottles and his distinctive serving routine. The Spaniard revealed that these routines were not driven by superstition but were deliberate practices to enhance his focus.

“It’s not superstition. The routine makes me feel more concentrated,” he said.

This painstaking aspect of Nadal’s personality also refected in his playing style, with Roger Federer commending the Spaniard’s “mental toughness” for maintaining the same level of intensity on each point.

However, despite expressing his admiration for Nadal’s game, the Swiss asserted that he couldn’t adopt the same approach because he thrived on displaying variety with every point.

“I admire Rafa for that. A guy who fights for every point with that incredible intensity in his eyes. The mental toughness of playing each point the same is amazing, but I could never play that way. I need change, I need a different point every time,” he told the New Yorker in 2010.

“Roger Federer was perfection on an aesthetic level, I have very good technique but technique is not the same as aesthetics” – Rafael Nadal


The Swiss legend and Rafael Nadal (Source: Getty)© Provided by Sportskeeda Tennis

Rafael Nadal has also acknowledged the stark contrast in his and Roger Federer’s playing styles. In an interview with El Pais in January 2024, the Spaniard expressed his belief that their “radical combination of styles” was a key factor in the widespread popularity of their rivalry.

Nadal hailed the Swiss legend for his “perfection” in terms of aesthetics, admitting that while he himself had solid technique, he didn’t possess the same level of elegance as his rival.

“Several factors come together. Some I am not going to tell you because it is difficult for me, it is not my turn to comment on them. But tennis-wise, it is clear. It is a very radical combination of styles. Federer was perfection on an aesthetic level, on a level of elegance, on a technical level,” he said.

“I have very good technique, a lot of it, but technique is not the same as aesthetics. They are two different things. He had an incredible technique, making things very beautiful with impressive elegance,” he added.

Federer and Nadal locked horns 40 times over the course of their illustrious rivalry, with the Spaniard enjoying a 24-16 lead in their head-to-head record. Nadal also won 10 of their 14 matches at Grand Slam events.