WIMBLEDON, England — The most celebrated rivalry in modern men’s tennis is becoming a habit again.
After nearly two years of not playing each other, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will meet for the second time in five weeks when they face off Friday in the Wimbledon semifinals.
Federer finished his quarterfinal first on Wednesday, rallying to defeat Kei Nishikori, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4, on Centre Court. Nadal joined him soon after, defusing the big serve of the American Sam Querrey to win, 7-5, 6-2, 6-2, on No. 1 Court.
Friday’s match will be the 40th meeting for Federer and Nadal, and it will be their first at Wimbledon since 2008 final, which is on nearly every shortlist of tennis’s greatest matches and has inspired books and a documentary.
Nadal finished off that five-set classic in near darkness. Flashbulbs were required to chronicle the trophy ceremony on Centre Court. The match was widely viewed as a passing of the torch, the long-dominant Federer, then 26, ceding his spot to the irresistible youth of a 22-year-old Nadal.
That was how it had previously worked in men’s tennis: Topple the king and assume the throne. But 11 years later, it is clear that was not the right read of the situation.
Reality has turned out to be much richer, much more layered.
Federer, 37, and Nadal, 33, have continued to push each other, contending for longer than even they could have imagined when they last traded topspin forehands and compliments at the All England Club. Read More
