Asked if Nadal missing out on glory in Melbourne a month earlier would put extra fire in the belly for the Match for Africa, Federer joked: “Well the good thing about tonight is he cannot catch me! I’m very relaxed.
“No honestly, what he has achieved in his career, or Novak for that matter what he’s done, myself as well, I think we’re all so very happy with a career that exceeded all our expectations.
“In my dreams, I never dreamed this far. I hoped to win one Wimbledon and I did more, so if he catches me, it’s okay!”
But Federer also opened up at lengthy on the healthy relationship between himself and his long-time rival Nadal, whom he has faced 40 times across their careers.
Asked if they are more friends or rivals, the veteran said on court: “Can you be both? I think so. I really do.