2019 Wimbledon Championships – Rafael Nadal vs Roger Federer Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Rafael Nadal vs Roger Federer taking place? All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London
When is Rafael Nadal vs Roger Federer on and what time does it start? Friday 12th July, 2019 – (not before) 15:00 (UK)
What is the expected weather for Rafael Nadal vs Roger Federer? Partly cloudy with a temperature around 23c
What channel is Rafael Nadal vs Roger Federer on? Matches will air on BBC1, BBC2 and BBC Red Button throughout the tournament
Where can I stream Rafael Nadal vs Roger Federer? BBC iPlayer / BBC Sport website / BBC Sport app
Where can I get tickets for Rafael Nadal vs Roger Federer?
Discount of £50 only applicable on orders over £500, including service charges and taxes. Applicable on UK Tennis event tickets only which are purchased on specified domains. Valid until 23:59 (BST) on 14.07.2019. Cannot be used with other offers. See T&Cs.
THE LOWDOWN
HEAD-TO-HEAD
All-time meetings: Rafael Nadal 24-15 Roger Federer
Last meeting: Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer 6-3, 6-4, 6-2
RAFAEL NADAL
- After a testing first set, Nadal overcame Sam Querrey in the quarter-finals with relative comfort as he prevailed 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 over the American and the world number two has been improving with each round.
- Nadal and Federer will meet for the first time at Wimbledon since their epic 2008 final which the Spaniard won in a thrilling deciding set in what is still considered one of, if not the greatest match in history.
- Prior to that 2008 final, Nadal had lost to Federer in both the 2006 and 2007 Wimbledon finals but so much time has passed since that hat-trick of meetings that it is unlikely to have much bearing on how this match is played out.
ROGER FEDERER
- Roger Federer dropped a set for the second time at this year's tournament in his quarter-final clash with Kei Nishikori but the Swiss maestro rallied to win the next three and reach yet another semi-final at his beloved Wimbledon.
- Federer lost heavily to Nadal at the French Open in straight sets last month but he had previously won five consecutive matches against his great rival to make up some ground in their career head-to-head tally, although the Spaniard still leads 24-15 overall.
- If Federer is to seal a ninth Wimbledon title, and 21st Grand Slam overall, then the soon-to-be 38-year-old will have to get past Nadal here and most likely Djokovic in the final - a feat that would surely go down in history as one of the greatest achievements in this blockbuster era of the men's game.
THE PREDICTION
The 40th contest between these two great rivals sees them meet at SW19 for the first time in 11 years and it would not be a surprise to see a closely-fought, dramatic tussle once more. It is the match the Wimbledon crowds wanted, and they could be treated to another five-set battle typical of their history. Both players have played some typically excellent tennis on their way to the semi-finals, but Nadal has been marginally more consistent and assured throughout the last couple of weeks and that could see him edge this latest instalment of their storied rivalry.
