Roger Federer critical of Rafael Nadal injury complaints after Indian Wells defeat
ROGER FEDERER says he often has to battle through the pain similar to Rafael Nadal - but the Swiss star claims to have a better way of handling it.
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Nadal pulled out of the Indian Wells Masters last week just hours before his semi-final clash with Federer.
It meant the Swiss star received a bye into the final, which he lost to Dominic Thiem last night.
Federer was unable to make the extra days rest count and missed out on his 101st career title.
After the defeat, the 37-year-old claimed that he also plays with pain just like arch-rival Nadal, but he keeps much quieter about the situation.
“Yes, I would and I also did,” Federer told Swiss press.
“I don't want to talk like I never had problems and never have played with pain.
“We are definitely two of those players who played with most pain, Rafa and I.
“You don't come through every week and tournament injury free and pain free.
“We approach the topic differently but often we have pain despite we don't talk about it.”
Nadal suffered a knee injury during his quarter-final win over Karen Khachanov.
But Federer thinks letting the opponent know of his discomfort will put him at a disadvantage.
“It doesn't bring anything and just helps the opponent and you have to handle this,” Federer added.
Indian Wells: Rafael Nadal withdraws from Federer clash
“If pain gets too extreme, too tough and too dangerous, then you can't play anymore, that's clear.
“But in the 1400 matches or so that I have played there was often pain.”
Nadal has also withdrawn from the Miami Open which starts on Wednesday.