Rafael Nadal acknowledged how career rival Roger Federer helped elevate the status tennis in all levels, admitting he was "very happy" to be part of the same era as the Swiss Maestro.
Nadal heaped praises on Federer's impact in the sport during the presentation of the Laver Cup last Wednesday in New York. The King of Clay complemented Federer's game, as well as the Swiss' contribution to helping tennis to "another level."
"So I think what Roger has done for the game during all these years, and what he's gonna keep doing for the next couple of years, is something very important for our sport," Nadal said after expressing admiration about Federer's game style, reports Tennis World USA.
"He helps the game a lot by taking it to another level in terms of everything. So just I feel very happy to be part of the same era."
Federer also spoke highly of Nadal, whom the Swiss already met 34 times in his career. The 17-time Grand Slam winner said it has been a privilege for him playing against Nadal, especially on big stages.
But it was not the first time Federer commended Nadal as a competitor. In a piece chronicled by The Guardian's Simone Hattenstone, Federer confessed that his greatest rival in the sport is Nadal because of their epic matchup at Wimbledon back in 2008, when a 26-year-old Federer got defeated by the Spaniard in classic five-setter final round.
"For me, he [Nadal] has been [the greatest rival]. It could still change if I play Novak another few times in bigger matches. Novak and I have obviously had really big matches, but somehow the match-up with Rafa will always stay unique - because of the Wimbledon final in 2008," Federer said.
Federer has only won 11 of all his 34 career head-to-head matches with Nadal and has only defeated the Spaniard in two of their last seven outings. Their most recent match was last year at the ATP Swiss Indoors in Basel, with Federer defeating Nadal in the final round.
It was unfortunate for fans to not see Federer playing much this season due to injuries that almost derailed the Swiss' career. He bounced back from a knee surgery suffered earlier this year, but Federer re-injured his left knee in his most recent match at Wimbledon, forcing him to skip the remainder of the season.
Federer is targeting a return next year at the Australian Open, and will treat fans with one of a kind performance with Nadal, when both players team up at the inaugural Laver Cup. At the meantime, it is up for the likes of Nadal, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic to take center stage at the US Open, with Federer sidelined from competition.