Federer ready to face Nadal for third straight time in Wimbledon final

Nadal leads the head-to-head series 11-6, though away from clay, Federer leads 5-2. It will be the 14th Federer-Nadal matchup in a tournament final, putting the pair fourth in Open era history, behind only Ivan Lendl vs. John McEnroe (20); Andre Agassi vs. Pete Sampras (16); Boris Becker vs. Stefan Edberg (16); and Jimmy Connors vs. McEnroe (15).

Given that Federer is only 26 years old, and Nadal 22, they could be adding to their total for some time.

Consider, also, just how much better Federer and Nadal have been than their contemporaries. Federer is in his record 231st straight week atop the rankings, while Nadal is in his record 154th straight week right behind him.

"Sure, it is a nice rivalry because we are No. 1 and No. 2. That's the main rivalry, because if someone is No. 1 and the other one is No. 5 doesn't matter, no?" Nadal said. "But for the last years we did well, and I hope (it continues) like this for a lot of years."

They might not be the best of pals, but they do have a good relationship. Last year, when Nadal was having trouble arranging a commercial flight from a tournament in Montreal to another in Ohio, Federer gave him a lift on a private jet.

When they run into each other in the locker room, they'll chat, often about soccer. Nadal once asked Federer, years ago, to play doubles with him, although it hasn't happened.

And there clearly is mutual respect.

Both speak in glowing terms about the other's game, even if Federer is not a huge fan of how much time Nadal takes between other points.

Said Federer about Nadal: "He's definitely made me more tough."

Said Nadal about Federer: "He plays specially, very nice all the time, very easy. Sometimes you (get distracted) watching his game."

In the 2006 Wimbledon final, Federer beat Nadal in four sets. Last year, they went five sets, and Nadal came close to breaking through, earning four break points in the fifth set -- two apiece at 1-1 and 2-2 -- but failing to convert any.

If Nadal appears to be getting closer to Federer on grass, the gap seems to be widening on clay. In last month's French Open final, Nadal dropped only four games while handing Federer his worst loss in a Grand Slam match.

"Beating me or beating Rafa in a Grand Slam final, you can really say the guy deserved to win," Federer said. "Beating your main rival is always a big thrill."