Roger Federer wants to see injury-hit Rafael Nadal back playing this year despite fears that his great Spanish rival is likely to miss the Davis Cup semi-final and even write off the rest of 2012.
Nadal, the seven-time French Open champion, hasn’t played since a shock second round exit at Wimbledon in June.
He was forced to sit out the Olympics to recover from more problems with his knees, a requirement which also forced him to miss the ongoing US Open where he was champion in 2010 and runner-up last year.
“It’s obviously not great news but one that was a possibility,” said world number one Federer when told that Nadal could be forced to delay his return until 2013.
That would also rule him out of the Davis Cup semi-final against the United States in Gijon from September 14-16 as well as a potential final date in November.
Nadal’s name is already absent from the team list published on the official Davis Cup website for the semi-final.
“I’m not shocked about the news. I’m still hopeful that he’ll be okay for the rest of the year,” added the world number one.
Federer and Nadal have developed a close bond despite their eight-year rivalry which has seen them battle for the no. 1 ranking as well as Grand Slam titles.
Between them they have won 24 of the last 30 majors.
Federer said that he and Nadal had never discussed the Span-iard’s injury problems and that even if they did, their conversations would remain confidential.
“I think it’s quite personal except if one guy goes up to the other. But we’re both very open and honest. When I ask him how he’s feeling, he’s not feeling well, he’ll tell me, I’m tired, a little injured,” said Federer.
“There’s no real secrets out there because he knows and I know when we tell each other that stuff it doesn’t leave the room.
“That’s a nice relationship I have with Rafa. It’s based on a lot of trust.”
On Saturday, Federer cruised into the US Open last 16 and admitted he always knew he would return to the world number one spot despite a shattering 2011 semi-final defeat in New York.
Federer defeated Spanish 25th seed Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 to make the fourth round for the 12th successive year.
He next faces American Mardy Fish, who beat French Gilles Simon 6-1, 5-7, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3.