Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are two of the greatest tennis players of all time. They have won a combined 42 Grand Slam titles.
Roger Federer recently announced that he will retire from professional tennis following the Laver Cup competition. Rafael Nadal, five years younger, is still going strong, having won the Australian Open and the French Open this season.
Back in 2008, Nike and legendary boxing promoter Don King introduced the two tennis greats ahead of the Grapple in the Apple, in his own indomitable way, in a press conference. Nadal and Federer were all set to play in the 2008 US Open and it was a great way to promote the last major tournament of the year.
The Spaniard was in sublime form having been crowned the new world No. 1. He ended Federer’s epic reign at the top of the rankings for 237 weeks. The Swiss superstar was the defending champion at the 2008 US Open.
How did Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal fare at the 2008 US Open?
Unfortunately, we did not get another showdown between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer at Flushing Meadows in 2008. The draw was such that they would have had to qualify for the finals in order to meet each other.
Roger Federer made it to Andy Murray ousted the final but Rafael Nadal in the semis in four sets. This was Murray’s first win against the southpaw in six attempts.
Federer comprehensively defeated Murray in the final in straight sets to win his fifth US Open title and 13th major title overall.
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