Rafael Nadal downplays Grand Slam race with Roger Federer saying ‘you can’t compare us’

ATP Tour

Tennis365
September 10, 2019

Rafael Nadal says that beating Roger Federer’s Grand Slam record is not important to him, adding that be believes it is dangerous to believe tennis is all about Grand Slams.

Novak Djokovic has recently said that Slams, and winning them, are all that really matter to him at this stage of his career as he chases down Federer and Nadal in the all-time list.

After winning the US Open, though, Nadal has taken a different approach.

“I always say the same: I would love to be the one who wins more, but I am not thinking and I not going to practice every day or not playing tennis for it.

“I am playing tennis because I love to play tennis. I can’t just think about Grand Slams, no? Tennis is more than Grand Slams.

“I need to think about the rest of the things. I play to be happy.

“Of course, the victory of [in the final if the US Open against Daniil Medvedev] makes me super happy. But few weeks ago I won in Montreal and have been an important moment for me, too.

Nadal’s US Open win leaves him just one Grand Slam short of Federer’s current total of 20, and given that he is four years his junior he is well-placed to set a new record of his own in the coming years.

He, though, says that comparisons between himself ad Federer are for the public and media, not the players.

“Of course, is not [a comparison] because is a completely different story,” Nadal added.

“Well, that competition, if that attracts fans and create interest in the people, that’s good for our sport, no?

“I feel honored to be part of this battle. But I repeat the same: you can’t be all day looking next to you about if one having more or one having a little bit less because you will be frustrated.”

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Rafael Nadal Roger Federer