When Rafael Nadal Refused To Ride In A Mercedes With Roger Federer’s Picture

Rafael Nadal had a fantastic 2010. While there were already murmurings about him potentially replacing Roger Federer as the face of tennis, it was in this year that he actually burnt the city down.

Rafa won three grand slams back to back – winning the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open crowns. In fact, he was also the world number one. However, there was just something about the brand of Roger Federer that Rafa just wasn’t able to overcome.

Apparently, this bothered Rafael Nadal as much as his fans. A rumored incident from 2010 confirmed the uneasiness that Rafa had with the idea of Roger Federer still being synonymous with tennis. This incident was from the US Open of 2010.

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What happened in 2010 featuring Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer? 

Rafael Nadal was the top contender at the US Open 2010. Rafa was actually meeting the bar as he dominated his competition at the US Open.

However, things got a bit heated when Rafa was supposed to go back to his accommodation. He was not satisfied with the vehicle taking him and the reason was Roger Federer. As per reports, Rafa did not like the fact that the Mercedes shuttle bus carrying him was emblazoned with a Roger Federer image.

This prompted Rafa to say that he wouldn’t travel on that particular bus. Fortunately, only three of the many buses had a picture of Roger Federer. Thus, Rafael Nadal could go back without much of a hassle.

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What was Rafael Nadal’s response to this report? 

However, Rafa would later clarify that this was not the case at all. In fact, he blamed the media for making this such a big deal.

“Yeah, well, if you know me, you know that I not gonna do. This is very stupid thing. I was in a van of the picture of Roger, both sides of the van, like 15 times these two weeks. (Smiling). So that’s very stupid thing. That’s never happen.
Speaking seriously, is better the other side. I want this car because is bigger, and I am more comfortable with this car than with the others. You can see the car of Roger’s photo is there, is outside, is a van. So is much bigger than the other ones.
Roy know, the manager of the transportation, that I always want this car. So it was good.”

However, the reporter wanted to get a spicy story. He asked whether Rafa traveled in the van with Roger’s picture. Nadal didn’t hold back as he replied with this cheeky quip.

“I thought my English was better. (Laughter.)
I said I went with this car 15 times.”

With many years passed by and the two stars becoming a lot more mature, you wouldn’t expect such an incident to happen ever again (that’s assuming that it happened which it most probably didn’t). Of course, that was a time when their rivalry was at its peak. They were giving battle after battle on the tennis court.

Some heat existing is actually good for their dynamic. However, time and again, both have proven they have a healthy respect for each other. Rafael Nadal is certainly a lot more appreciative of Roger Federer than this incident reveals.