Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal set the record straight over their Grand Slam ‘race’
Rafael Nadal is hot on Roger Federer’s heels in terms of the overall Grand Slam record, but the two tennis greats have played down suggestions that they are obsessed with the ongoing race to top the list.
After winning the US Open and French Open this year, Nadal finds himself just one major shy of Federer’s all-time record of 20 Open Era Grand Slams.
World No 1 Novak Djokovic is also not too far behind as he has 16 majors on the back of his success at the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year.
The Grand Slam record is one of the most-talked about things in tennis, but Federer and Nadal are not too concerned about it.
The duo was asked about the Grand Slam race and Federer jokingly replied: “That’s all we’ve been talking about.
“No. We haven’t spoken about it. This is not stuff you really talk about.
“I think I’m generally happy for Rafa for winning in New York and winning all the other ones that he has and all the Frenches he’s won.
“It’s just massive respect I have for Rafa, what he’s done. Djokovic, Sampras, you name it. These are things you can’t really control other than when you face each other and you try to stop the other guy.
“But that’s also not the point. The point is trying to win for yourself and your fans, your team, and try to have your best career.
“I don’t feel like it’s an elephant in the room.”
Nadal then responded: “I think we are doing our way. I am doing my way.
“I’m not going to bed every night thinking ‘I need to win a number in particular’.
“I just try to enjoy the tennis. Tennis is not only the Grand Slams. Of course, they are important but I don’t take it that way.
“I just try to give me opportunities to compete well every single event.”
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