World No. 1 Rafael Nadal has made a surprise claim regarding Roger Federer’s Grand Slam record. The Majorcan said that he has been hardly perturbed by all the talk surrounding his chances of eclipsing the maestro’s record.
Nadal, the reigning French and US Open champion has confessed he is not obsessed with breaking the Swiss legend’s record of 19 Grand Slams.
The 31-year-old took his Major count to 16 after triumphing in Paris for the 10th time and by collecting his third US Open crown during the summer in New York. Federer, on the other hand, enjoyed a brilliant 2017, winning the Australian Open and Wimbledon to stretch his Slam tally to 19.
And even though, the southpaw, five years Federer’s junior, has time on his side as far as surpassing Federer’s record is concerned, he is rigid in declaring that he will not feel extremely happy if he is able to go past his rival’s record before retiring from the game.
Asked about what he feels about his accomplishments when compared to Federer’s records, Nadal told Spanish paper AS: “At Grand Slam level I wouldn’t say so; he still has three more, which is a lot.
“It’s not something I think about anyway.
“I’m happy with what I’m doing and if things go well and that opportunity presents itself, then great.
“But when I hang up the rackets having overtaken Roger, if it happens, won’t give me more satisfaction in my career.”
While Federer has captured 95 titles on the men’s circuit, Nadal has won 75 trophies so far in his career.
Roger and Rafa are preparing for the first Grand Slam of the new season – the Australian Open – which starts in Melbourne from January 15.
Before taking part in Happy Slam at Melbourne Park, where he is the defending champion, Federer will participate in the Hopman Cup which gets underway in Perth on Saturday.
