Rafa-Roger Rivalry Hyped at Grapple in the Apple

USOpen.org - Friday, August 22, 2008
New York – A fitting finale to a year that has featured an epic Wimbledon final for the ages and a change at the top of the men’s rankings after a historic run of dominance, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are eager to test their rivalry at the biggest tennis championship, the US Open.
“This is a big moment for all of us,” said Federer, the four-time defending US Open champion.
“This is what it’s all about, to come to the greatest city in the world to play tennis," he added. "There is such great excitement about this tournament and this rivalry. We hope that it can live up to expectations and battle it out in the final.”
Nadal, who recently won a gold medal for Spain at the Olympics in Beijing, said that he has been inspired to perform at his best over the years because of Federer.
“All these years I’ve always had one person ahead of me and better than me,” said Nadal.
Nadal overtook Federer for the No. 1 ranking just before the start of the US Open. The Swiss had held the top spot for a record 237 consecutive weeks.
In New York to help promote the rivals, legendary boxing promoter Don King fanned the flames between Federer and Nadal, asking fans to pick a side in a way that only the improvisational Mr. King can.
“The US Open is the ultimate championship – the biggest stage in the world,” said King. “You had the Thrilla in the Manilla and the Rumble in the Jungle and now you have the Grapple in the Apple.”
Comparing Federer and Nadal to boxing greats Muhammad Ali and George Frazier, King entertained the audience filled with children from the City Parks Tennis Foundation in Brooklyn and Queens.
“There’s going to be two great champions in New York for the US Open. One is the defending champion, and the other is a young, ambitious, motivated and inspired player that has now become No. 1.”
Campaign “fight” posters featuring Roger “The Magician of Precision” Federer and Rafael “The Matador of Spin” Nadal lined the New York City streets at Columbus Circle, with city cabs wallpapered with the fight poster.
Each with their own unique fashion tastes, Federer and Nadal will debut specially-designed 2008 US Open competition Nike apparel and footwear.
After dazzling the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd with a tuxedo black outfit in 2007, Federer will wear a new sophisticated night look.
The reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion, Nadal is expected to don an evolved signature look.
The “Grapple in the Apple,” was launched by Nike in July in a city-wide campaign to celebrate the two top-ranked men as they head into the final grand slam of the year.