Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will renew their rivalry on Saturday in Delhi squaring off in an IPTL match.
The stylistic clash between the right-handed Federer's slashing all-court acumen and the left-handed Nadal's crackling topspin counterstrikes can create memorable matches.
More: Federer Parts With Edberg, Adds Ljubicic to Team
The former world No. 1 players build points as differently as they've constructed their careers.
Federer, who ended his partnership with Stefan Edberg and added Ivan Ljubicic to his coaching team yesterday, has been more experimental than Nadal changing coaches several times in recent years, switching to a larger-sized Wilson Pro Staff racquet and adding new elements like the SABR return tactic to his game.
Nadal, who has repeatedly shot down suggestions he should consider adding a former Grand Slam champion to aid his coach and uncle Toni Nadal, says he's not suffering from any tennis identity crisis and has no plans to emulate Federer's attacking game or experimental coaching approach.
Rafa is not Roger.
“I’m not Federer, I’m Rafael Nadal," Nadal said in comments published by The Manila Times. "He has his style and I have my own style. I for sure try to improve many things during all my career and for sure I’m working hard to be a better player.
“And if I am a better player for sure I will have the chance to play a bit longer.”
Asked if he can win Grand Slam titles again, the 14-time Grand Slam champion conceded he's not sure.
"I don't know when that is going to happen, if that is going to happen," Nadal told the media in comments published by The Times of India. "All I need to is to play well.
"2015 has been not been the best season for me. Last three months, I finished much better. I am happy with the way I am playing now and I need to keep going. I have improved in some aspects like grass tournaments. I have to try and continue with that level in the beginning of 2016."
The fifth-ranked Spaniard said he's not sure if he can regain the world No. 1 ranking, but is confident in his training to bounce back in 2016.
"I don't know if I'm going to (win) it (No. 1) back,'' Nadal said. "But I'm working hard to create opportunities to compete for the best tournaments and I'm working so hard to try and make that happen.''
Last month, Federer defended his home turf and title defeating Nadal, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3, to capture his record-extending seventh Swiss Indoors championship. It was Federer's sixth title of 2015 and 88th career championship.
He snapped a five-match losing streak to Nadal, who still leads the iconic rivalry, 23-11.
"I think I can speak for all of us," Federer told Nadal afterward. "It's like you won the final. To have you in the finals and comeback to my home town, and everybody's hometown here, it's very special for us to have this match. Congratulations, I hope we play many more finals."
Photo credit: Swiss Indoors Basel