Rafael Nadal Grapples in the Apple

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer face off at “Grapple in the Apple” presented by Nike at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on Thursday in New York City.

Nadal and Federer both took questions at “Grapple in the Apple,” which was hosted by boxing promoter Don King. The two tennis rivals have met in the finals of the last two Grand Slam events.

“These years I have always had one person in front of me, better than me in everything,” said Nadal. “So when I look to Roger in front of me all the time, having better forehand, better backhand.”

“This is definitely one of the great, great rivalries I’ve been in,” said Federer. “And I mean he’s definitely been also the one who has been pushing me the hardest to improve as a player and stay ahead of him. But you know, he got me in the end, but obviously I’m going to try to get it back.”

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