A new Roger Federer-Rafael Nadal chapter: This time over social media

A new Roger Federer-Rafael Nadal chapter: This time over social media

Pune: Over the years, tennis fans have been treated to numerous four and five-hour-long classic contests between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal - two men with the highest number of Grand Slam titles under their belts. 

This time and in the times we are facing, though, just under nine minutes over social media sufficed to give the fans their regular dose of 'Fedal' - as Federer and Nadal are fondly called - as the two champions caught up to discuss tennis and life while being confined in their homes and under lockdown.

Speaking to his friend and rival Nadal on Instagram Live, Federer gave his fans something to cheer about as he exuded confidence about his recovery from a knee injury that required him to undergo surgery in February.

"I've been hitting a bit against a wall, (doing) rehab with the knee," Federer said.

When asked more about the knee by Nadal, Federer added, "It's okay, I had a really good first six weeks, then it was a bit slower, now it's getting better again, but I have plenty of time. There is no stress, no rush. If there is anything positive (about being in lockdown) that's the only thing, really. I just want the knee to be good; it doesn't matter when I return. Things have been okay for me. I feel happy."

This is the second time Federer has undergone knee surgery, the first time being back in 2016, and shared his experience of recovery with Nadal, who knows a thing or two about knee injuries, to say the least.

"It gets easier the second time around. I don't know how many you've had. I don't need to experience the third one though, that's for sure," Federer added with a chuckle.

'That's just a legend'

There is a myth that goes with Nadal for years, one where it is widely believed that the originally right-handed Nadal designed his style of play in a way where he turned into a lefty, to give him an edge over most right-handed players. It has troubled Federer over the years, with Nadal using his left-handed forehands with heavy topspin to Federer's backhand, and the Swiss maestro was quick to point it out to his rival in a light-hearted manner.

"It has been bothering me that you play left-handed. If you are a righty, why play lefty?" Federer asked, to which Nadal replied, saying, "That's just a legend. I cannot play tennis with my right-hand (pre-dominantly). I write with my right hand; my basketball skills are with the right. All feelings are with the right hand, but not in tennis court and not in football, a lefty with both."

"Initially I played with two hands on forehand and backhand both. Probably because I was hitting two backhands, people did not know whether I'm lefty or righty. I have always been a lefty in tennis," he added.

Giving his thoughts on the current situation, Nadal wasn't shy of admitting that he does wonder at times whether he could be allowed to get back to training on his own, while there are many in other sectors in Spain, who are going to work, but accepted that the rules of lockdown need to be followed.

Nadal-Murray connect

Nadal also connected with another one of his great rivals Andy Murray post the interaction with Federer as Murray spoke about his recovery from an injury that has been troubling him over almost a couple of years now.

When asked by Nadal about his fitness, Murray said, "It's good. I've been able to do quite a few things. I haven't practised in five weeks though since everything here got shut down. I'm still doing a lot of training, and we'll see what happens when things start again."

Devoid of the on-court action, the Madrid Masters officials have organised a virtual tennis tournament on the 'Playstation' for the players to participate in. Nadal and Murray will both be playing the tournament, and also agreed to practise together by facing off against each other in a virtual match.

"I'm gonna text you later to play a match. Let's play," said Nadal to his childhood friend Murray.

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