Nadal made it clear he is not Federer's 'boyfriend'

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Rafael Nadal had to calm growing enthusiasm over a possible US Open semi-final clash with old rival Roger Federer by warning reporters against making the two appear "boyfriends."

Nadal and Federer, two of the greatest players of all time, have met 37 times, including 12 at the Grand Slams, but never in New York.

When asked to describe what he admires most about Federer, also a long-time off-court friend, Nadal was keen to cool the "bromance."

Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal /Reuters Photo

"I don't want to look like I gonna be his boyfriend, no?" said Nadal, causing a packed media conference room to burst into laughter. "We don't want to talk these kinds of things before an important match. We have a lot of respect for each other, no? We played a lot of times. I think we did important things for tennis. We appreciate that.”

“We always had a good relationship. I think he always has been a great ambassador for tennis and for our sport, with a good image, of course, and represent good values,” he added.

Source(s): AFP