Paris (AFP)

Nine months since their Wimbledon semi-final last year, that tennis fans have been waiting for a "Fedal": Monday, confinement requires, it is via social networks that Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer met, for a live video exchange in front of their fans.

"I haven't touched a racket since Indian Wells (canceled the day before its start on March 9), admits Nadal to Federer who, as a strategist, had prepared his attack.

"Perfect," replies the Swiss, "you will no longer be able to play tennis when you return!" It was he who won their last duel last summer at Wimbledon before losing in the final to Novak Djokovic.

"I hope to remember a little anyway ..." returns the Spaniard while the Swiss laughs.

This was the first Live Instagram organized by Nadal who experienced difficulties with the tool: "I am a disaster", he also admitted to his fans.

The two men then discussed their physical condition and in particular Federer who is recovering from an arthroscopy undergone in February and who had in any case not planned to replay before the season on grass, canceled since.

"The knee is OK. The first six weeks went very well, then it went a little slower and now it's getting better and better. But I have a lot of time! There is no stress , no rush, this is the only positive side of the situation: I have a lot of time. In the end, my knee has to be fine, the moment of my return does not matter ", explains the world N.4.

- "Easier after the 2nd" -

"I'm happy. It's easier after the second surgery ... but I don't want to know how it feels after a third!", Adds the Swiss, his friend returning "in any case not during our career! "

Then Federer accelerates again: "you play left-handed and that's a problem for me ... since you're right-handed, why do you play tennis with your left hand?", He says to Nadal.

"I cannot play with the right hand, it is a legend, defends the Spaniard. In basketball or for everything in life, I am right-handed ... except for football and tennis."

Federer pushes his advantage: "Has it always been like that or is it a decision of your father or your uncle (Toni who was his trainer for most of his career, editor's note)?"

"I started at 3-4 years old, but I played with both hands on both sides, forehand and backhand. So people didn't realize if I was left or right handed, but I always played left "Nadal hits.

"So I can't blame you ..." Federer capitulates.

© 2020 AFP