Duels between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are legendary and when his favourite foe withdrew his name from the Wimbledon 2009, Federer’s disappointment was palpable. “Of course, it is quite (disappointing),” was how the 14-time Grand Slam champ had said. The road is clear for the Swiss ace to go all out to clinch the record-breaking 15th title and go past Pete ‘Pistol’ Sampras’ record and emboss his name into immortality. But there is big glitch which Federer will himself admit—that he will not have beaten Nadal to win that title.

Is Nadal really the only factor why Federer could go on to lay his hands on the Gold crown? Yes, it is a single biggest factor for him. Why? Because whenever the last three finals that Federer and Nadal have played have been won by the Spaniard with two of them being convincing wins (French Open 2008 final and Australian Open 2009) and one being an interesting battle (Wimbledon 2008) that stretched way past sunset. Nadal has been Federer’s nemesis for a long-time and such has been a psychological advantage that the Swiss master had to admit how he disliked being called the ‘No.2’ in many press conferences and news reports. “I just do not like it. Please don’t say that,” he had said in a very uncharacteristic manner.

Nadal on the other hand has been ruthless in every tournament that he has played until he was ‘shocked’ by Soderling in the French Open, opening up the floodgates for the eventual winner Federer to win his record-equaling first French Open title. Make no mistake, I am a huge fan of Federer but of late I feel he is largely going untested—a fact he himself had pointed out. Facing Nadal in the French Open the last three times in the finals at Roland Garros only ended in heart burns for Fedex fans. Nadal has gone from strength to strength in deflating Fedex’s fortunes over the years but off the court the two have shared great admiration for each other and reveled in each other’s success.

There were even-wide spread reports that Fedex’s child could even be named ‘Rafa’ but don’t know the truth behind these tales. On the court, its been carnage for Federer and he from his ‘Godly’ status, he has been made to look like a mere mortal —-more than once, with critics asking the ‘God’ to vacate his place and join the mortals’ race. Is losing such a big deal? Yes, it is. Especially when you have the aura of Federer and it gets rolled over by a Spain boy, do? match after match. What did this loses mean? This meant that Federer was beatable and gave enough confidence for other players to go ahead and make a match against Federer.

For any champion, the prospect that there are chinks in his armory is not a healthy sign at all. Federer went through this and lost titles after one after another and Wimbledon 2008 was the last pack in the card. Nadal had been beaten by Federer in the last two finals of Wimbledon and it gave the Swiss enough belief that he shall pull it off. But then fate proved a fickle mistress once again.

Nadal did the unthinkable and carved his supremacy on grass of the All England Club lawns, much to the agony of Federer. Again, the US Open 2008 was tailor-made for Federer as Nadal had lost in the rounds and Andy Murray was no match for the Swiss ace in the finals. And when it came to the Australian Open this year, Nadal outclassed Federer to show whose a better player?

Having said that, Federer has had a great reign across the world but Nadal shall be a nuisance (Its a harsh word but on the court he surely has been such a pain in the a***) and the moment he gets to court (probably for the US Open 09 at the Flushing Meadows), Federer will have his task cut-out.

But Wimbledon this year looks tailor-made for Federer unless surprises are in store!