In fact, on his way through the draw and into a Sunday showdown with Croatian Ivan Ljubicic, Spain's teenaged Roland Garros winner has taken the time to check in with the competition.
After slamming American Robby Ginepri 7-5, 7-6 (7/1) Saturday to move to within one win of his 11th title of the season, Nadal revealed he's been on the phone to the injured Federer in Switzerland.
"I spoke to him and I asked him how he was feeling with his ankle, he had a problem," said Nadal, who along with his main rival is among five players who have qualified for far for next month's eight-man Masters Cup in China.
"He was wearing crutches still, but he hopes to be in Shanghai. He wishes to be there," said Spain's world number two. The friendly Nadal, one of just three man to have beaten the world number one in 2005, says he has no problems with having the occasionl yarn with the man whom he yearns to replace atop the rankings.
"I've called a few times to congratulate him, for Wimbledon, for the US Open," said the teenager who surpassed his friend's 77 match wins this year by one through his defeat of Ginepri. Should he defeat Ljubicic for the Madrid trophy, he will pull level on 11 titles in 2005 alongside Federer. "Now, I've spoken to him during this Masters Series. He told me he wants to get to Shanghai. I hope him to be there. It's better for us if he's there."
Even in the heat of a world-class rivalry likely to last for some years, Nadal is able to consistently keep his perspective.
"We have a good relationship," said the Spaniard.
"Federer's not only number one and a great person; he's a man who's calm and quiet, a good person. "He's nice, that's the most important thing."