As guitarists, not as rivals, but as true friends... they sent messages and replied to each other, they respected each other, to say the least... Jimi, in particular, adored Eric's style and declared himself influenced by it, writing to his mother in '66 about his happiness in having met and kissed Clapton.
Eric, taken aback, studied his solos, feeling intimidated, but especially the accompaniments... and the "afro" hair... Both of them always high and great friends...
Hendrix, at Monterey, in the infamous cover of "Wild Thing," inserted the notes of "Strangers in the Night" during the solo... A few months later, in "Sunshine of Your Love," Clapton, in a way of responding, started the solo with the melody of "Blue Moon"...

Cream - Sunshine Of Your Love (HD)

Jimi hendrix wild thing, Live at Monterey Pop festival, 1967