“I like Roger Federer but I prefer Rafael Nadal” – Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard makes candid admission after reaching Swiss Indoors Basel final

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard has revealed he likes Roger Federer but prefers Rafael Nadal over the Swiss Maestro. The 21-year-old has made it to the Swiss Indoors Basel final and said that both veterans inspired him to take up the sport.

Federer and Nadal are regarded as two of the best players to have graced the sport. While Federer announced his retirement after playing in Laver Cup 2022, the Davis Cup finals will be the swansong for Rafael Nadal.

Federer won 20 Grand Slam titles in his glorious career whereas Nadal is all set to end his career with 20 Majors. Federer and Nadal also shared an epic rivalry with each other, with the latter winning 24 out of the 40 matches against the former.

Meanwhile, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard registered a 7-6, 6-4 win against Holger Rune in the semifinals of the Swiss Indoors Basel and will look to keep up the good show. The Frenchman will take on America’s Ben Shelton in the summit clash on Sunday. He has also taken an early break in the opening set.

“Yeah, yeah (I drew inspiration from Roger Federer winning the Swiss Indoors Basel a record ten times), but I was sad when Rafa lost against him in 2015. So I mean, yeah, I like Roger but I do prefer Rafa,” Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard said on his on-court post-match interview.

“Both players are great, amazing. And yeah, they inspired me when I was young and I just try to be as good as them,” Mpetshi Perricard added.

It is worth mentioning that Roger Federer reached the Swiss Indoors Basel final fifteen times, which is an Open Era ATP record for the most finals reached at a single event.