Throwback to when Roger Federer claimed that Rafael Nadal is better than him at playing trick shots

In an interview during the Match for Africa in 2020, Roger Federer admitted that Rafael Nadal was better than him when it came to playing trick shots. According to Federer, many fans were of the opinion that he was better at hitting trick shots because he possesses a one-handed backhand, but in reality, that was not the case.

"So, probably people think that [Federer is better at trick shots] because I have a one-handed backhand and all this stuff, I am probably better at trick shots and a good one at the US Open once upon a time but this guy [Nadal] is very good and that's why I am not saying that I am better than him, said Federer.

"I think we are actually equal, maybe he's even better. He is very good at trick shots," added the 20-time Grand Slam winner.

Federer played Nadal in the Match for Africa exhibition in February 2020. The Swiss emerged as the winner in a match attended by 51,954 people (the highest attendance that has even been recorded in a tennis match).

When asked whether Nadal did "new things" on the court every time he played against the Swiss, Federer replied in the negative and highlighted that he "knows everything" about the Spaniard's gameplay.

The Swiss maestro also stated that although Nadal tried to play some trick shots during the match, he never really pulled them off.

"I feel like I know everything. But sometimes, I still can't crack the codes. So, he is that good, but though he tries trick shots through the legs, they don't work. So, better go back to basics if he wants to comeback in this match," mentioned Federer.

A look at the head-to-head record between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer at the Wimbledon Championships 2019

Federer and Nadal have been involved in one of the fiercest rivalries on the ATP tour. The two have crossed each other's paths on 40 occasions, with Nadal enjoying a 24-16 advantage so far.

The Spaniard also leads the head-to-head at Slams and in finals (10-4 and 14-10 respectively) The two last squared off in the semi-finals of Wimbledon 2019, when Federer emerged victorious in four sets.

While Federer has been out of action since July 2021, Nadal is currently in Mexico and will begin his Acapulco Open 2022 campaign against Denis Kudla on Tuesday.