But Nadal's form over the last few months and Federer's break from the game mean it's the Spaniard who could return to the very top of the rankings.
Debuting a short 'do in his first match since skipping clay in order to proceed straight to grass, Federer took a stunning 2-6, 7-6 (8), 6-4 loss in Stuttgart to Tommy Haas.
Roger Federer chose to skip the French Open in order to prolong his season and thus his career after already deciding to rest since winning Australian Open, Miami and Indian Wells.
"There are no more breaks now, I've had enough breaks", Federer told the ATP's official website.
Roger Federer's return to the ATP Tour did not go as planned for the 18-time grand slam champion as Tommy Haas came from a set down to beat the Swiss at the Stuttgart Open.
Haas got the better of Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 and is eagerly anticipating a reunion with his old pal, who is returning to the ATP Tour for the first time since winning the Miami Open in April, after which he made a decision to rest.
"I definitely was not as sharp as I was hoping to be in maybe the big moments, or the moment when I had the lead and where I feel I should have been cruising from that moment on".
He'll actually face Haas in his opening round on Wednesday.
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In an on-court interview, the German said he was "pretty speechless".
"I think Rafa winning the French Open is less of a surprise because he'd done it nine times before".
This is the third year the event is being played on grass. "There are a lot of emotions when you are playing a close friend. I even shocked myself".
Federer, 35, grabbed an early break as his attacking topspin backhand, which had served him so well earlier this year, was again on display.
Haas, a former world number two but now down at 302, won 2-6, 7-6 (10/8), 6-4 for just his fourth victory in 17 meetings against his close friend.
After a 10-week layoff, Federer is eager to get back to action.
The Rafa-Roger rivalry has been renewed this year and it's Federer who has the upper hand, winning all three of their high profile encounters, including the Melbourne and Miami finals.
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