World No. 1 Rafael Nadal thinks he can break reigning Australian Open champion Roger Federer’s Grand Slam record, which currently stands at 20.
Nadal, who lost to Marin Cilic in the Aussie Open quarterfinals after a hip injury forced him to retire from the match in the fifth set, will be back in action in Acapulco during the last week of February.
The Swiss great won his 20th Major title when he defeated former US Open champion Marin Cilic in the Australian Open final last month. It was Federer’s sixth Grand Slam title Down Under. The 36-year-old’s victory in Melbourne puts him four clear of his Spanish rival, who sits in the second position with his 16 Slam titles.
While pundits have argued against Nadal beating Federer’s tally because of the 31-year-old’s struggles with a string of injuries, the French Open champ is confident he can better Roger’s record.
On the other hand, with the likes of Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka having health problems, Federer, once again will be the overwhelming favorite to defend his Wimbledon crown. However, the next few months will certainly clear the air surrounding the status of Djokovic, who underwent minor elbow surgery recently and Nadal’s fitness.
If Federer can somehow maintain his own form and health, and Nadal and Djokovic continue to have issues with their fitness, then it will be really difficult to stop Federer from stretching his Grand Slam record.
“Unattainable not, unlikely yes,” Nadal told Ultima Hora.
“It’s not something that worries me, or what I think. I make my way without looking at the one next door and it’s something for tennis and for life.
“You could always be frustrated comparing yourself [to others]. It is not a good philosophy.
“You have to be satisfied with what you do if you try everything you can.
“There is always someone with more titles or more things, so I am satisfied with what I do, grateful for what life gives me and happy for the good that happens to others.”
