Federer hasn't thanked me for beating Nadal, jokes Soderling

Robin Soderling joked today that he's still waiting for Roger Federer to thank him for becoming the first man to beat Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros which allowed the Swiss to take the 2009 title.

Soderling dumped Nadal, who was then the four-time champion, out of the French Open in a four-set last-16 stunner nine years ago. It ended the Spaniard's 31-match win streak in Paris.

The Swede went on to make the final where he lost to Federer allowing the Swiss to complete the career Grand Slam.

"No, he hasn't thanked me. I'm still waiting," joked 33-year-old Soderling at Roland Garros on Thursday.

"When he saw I beat Rafa, I think he was a little bit happy, of course. But maybe he could have beat him in the finals. Who knows?"
"Now he chose to not play at all on clay for the last couple of years, which I think is a good decision, because he really wants to play as long as possible. He's really trying to make his career as long as he can."
"I think maybe that's one of the reasons Roger is still playing, because he feels that, 'Okay, if I retire now or any time soon, if Rafa plays a few more years, maybe he will beat a few of my records'."