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On Friday, in the Wimbledon semifinals, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will play for the 40th time in their careers. No. 39 was only a month ago, in a French Open semifinal that Nadal won in straight sets to bring his record against Federer to 24-15.
But the clay of Paris is Nadal’s domain; he has won 12 titles at Roland Garros. The grass of the All England Club is Federer’s turf, where he has lifted the champion’s trophy eight times.
This will be their first match at Wimbledon since the 2008 final, a Nadal win that has inspired books, a documentary and lavish praise.