The two old rivals, who shared all four Grand Slams between them, have played one another four times in 2017.
Federer has won all four of them but instead it’s a game against Grigor Dimitrov that Rusedski thinks is one of the best.
Nadal and Dimitrov played out a five-set thriller at the Australian Open in January which the Spaniard edged 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 6-3.
And it’s that which sticks out for Rusedski as one of the matches of the year.
He told Sky Sports: “At the beginning of the year Dimitrov played Rafa in Australia – it was probably one of the matches of the year where he lost in five sets.
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“One of the biggest improvements is the fitness skills [of Dimitrov].
“He’s so light on his feet, he hits so many more balls, he defends so incredibly well.
“I think that’s one of the biggest improvements in his game.”
Dimitrov and Nadal could meet again at the ATP World Tour finals later this month having both qualified.
The Bulgarian will have plenty of time to prepare after his Paris Masters campaign was ended early by John Isner today.
Dimitrov was 5-2 up in the deciding set with a match point to win it before Isner came charging back.
The big-serving American fought back to level before winning on a tie-break to keep his own dreams of playing in London alive.