But a fifth World Tour Finals trophy in London in November gave Federer renewed hope for 2011 after defeating Nadal in the final.

He had lost his previous six meetings with Nadal, and he remains on the wrong end of an 8-14 career record against the Spaniard.

"I have no plans at all about stopping, quitting, whatever you want to call it," said the rejuvenated, 29-year-old Federer.

Nadal predicts his great rivalry with Federer will continue, as will the mutual respect.

"Our relationship hasn't changed a lot since the beginning because all the time we have been very respectful. So I think it is not a rivalry. We never had any problems in all of our careers," he said.

However, their dominance proves to be a problem for the likes of Serbian Novak Djokovic and British Andy Murray, permanently knocking on the door and hoping to get both feet across the threshold.

Djokovic defeated Federer in a marathon US Open semi-final and then had the consolation of leading Serbia to an historic first Davis Cup triumph.

Murray was brushed aside by Federer at the Australian Open, departed in the cold and gloom of Roland Garros in the fourth round before being swept off Wimbledon center court by Nadal in a one-sided semi-final.

Despite the domination of Nadal and Federer, neither was involved in the year's lengthiest struggle.

That honor went to America's John Isner and France's Nicolas Mahut who played out the longest tennis match on record.

Their Wimbledon first round clash lasted an exhausting 11 hours and five minutes over three days with Isner eventually claiming a 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7/9), 7-6 (7/3), 70-68 win.