Roger Federer explains what he really thinks of Rafael Nadal ahead of Shanghai Masters

Roger Federer has once again opened up on his friendship with Rafael Nadal, who he could meet in the same half of the Shanghai Masters draw. Federer and Nadal will be behind world No1 Novak Djokovic in the seeding so could meet as early as the semi-finals. “He is a rival and a friend,” Federer told Swiss media outlet RTS of Nadal. “We understand each other really well, we have a lot of respect, I think, one another. “Two years ago in Prague, the Laver Cup showed us even more how similar we are, but we still stay different. We can love each other but at the same time the rivalry will stay there and the respect is just enormous. I have respect for him, his family and friends. And what he achieved is just unbelievable.”

Novak Djokovic now only behind Federer and Sampras in world No. 1 charts