Severin Luthi: Roger Federer ‘not obsessed’ with keeping Grand Slam record

Grand Slam
Roger Federer in action

Roger Federer’s coach Severin Luthi insists the Swiss Maestro is “not obsessed” with keeping Rafael Nadal “at bay” in terms of the overall Grand Slam record.

Federer currently holds the Open Era Grand Slam record as he has 20 majors to his name while Nadal is second on 17 with Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic is another two adrift from the Spaniard.

Luthi says the record is not a topic that gets discussed.

“I do not feel it’s an obsession for him. Of course he would like to keep this record, but it does not work that way,” he told Le Matin.

“When he wins a Grand Slam, he does not tell himself that he is getting ahead of Rafa or keeping him at bay. And frankly, we don’t talk about it.”

Federer’s future is always a hot topic and at the age of 37 (he turns 38 later this year), Luthi admits there are no guarantees over his playing days, but says retirement discussions are not on the agenda.

“There is a lot of speculation around him. He has always chosen not to pay attention to it and never answers all these rumours,” he said.

“By continuing the random speculation, someone will get it right eventually, but the reality is it’s not on the agenda. I don’t think that he himself has decided anything yet.

“There are only some truths for now: the desire to play on clay; he didn’t want to take such a long break between the hard and grass-court season; even if everything is different on clay, it can help for the future.”

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