Rafael Nadal confirms - 'Roger Federer is the best player, but I still remember..'

• Tennis News
• Rafael Nadal

After losing a tight Lleyton Hewitt clash at the Australian Open 2005, Rafael Nadal traveled to Argentina, Brazil and Mexico to compete on his beloved clay, winning back-to-back titles in Costa Do Sauipe and Acapulco and finding himself on the verge of the top-30.

The young Spaniard skipped Indian Wells and returned in Miami, beating Rainer Schuettler and Fernando Verdasco to find himself in the last 16 for the second year in a row after stunning Roger Federer in the third round 12 months earlier at 17!

Rafa had to work hard against Ivan Ljubicic in the battle for the quarter-final, beating the Croat 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 in two hours and 44 minutes. The youngster suffered only one break of serve and earned three breaks from 12 opportunities to find himself in the last eight.

Ljubicic fought well in the second set to take it in the tie break before Nadal bounced back in the decider to cross the finish line first and set Thomas Johannson clash. Nadal praised his serve after the encounter, saying it worked much better than in the previous rounds.

Also, Rafa mentioned that notable victory over Federer from 2004, calling the Swiss the best player out there and carrying great memories from their first meeting.

Rafael Nadal honored Roger Federer in Miami 2005 ahead of their duel.

"I won the match because I played very well and stayed aggressive.

Not only that Ljubicic served well, but he also performed on a high level from the baseline, putting a lot of pressure on me. I had to fight hard and return well; that was the critical element. The surface here in Key Biscayne suits my game; it's not too fast, and I like it.

I love how my serve worked today; it was much better than in the previous rounds. I'm trying to improve all the strokes, and I'm controlling the balls much better than before; I would also love to have a better backhand slice, and I'm working on it.

You always have motivation, but it's an even bigger one when you face someone from the top. I rate the victory against Roger Federer as one of my best triumphs, as I consider him the best player; I have good memories of that encounter," Rafael Nadal said.