Surpassing Roger Federer in Grand Slam record race ‘not an obsession’, says Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal says he does not feel any pressure to move past Roger Federer in the race for most Grand Slam titles, saying “that will not be the key for my happiness”.
The race between Nadal, Federer and Novak Djokovic to win the most majors titles has intensified in recent years and Nadal’s 13th French Open title last year saw him draw level with Federer on 20 Grand Slams.
The Spaniard and Federer are now the joint-milestone holders for the most Grand Slam singles titles won by a man, though the world No 2 insists that holding the record outright is not a huge motivation for him.
“For me, it means a lot to share 20, this number with @rogerfederer….We keep playing so I don’t know what can happen in the future.”@RafaelNadal #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/3o7PPmCoF5
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) October 11, 2020
Speaking to CNN, Nadal said: “I did much more than what I ever dreamed in my tennis career. It would be amazing for me to win one more. But I know that will not be the key for my happiness in the future. It’s not extra pressure and it’s not an obsession.
“I keep going, doing it my way. If it happens, fantastic, but if not, I’m more than happy about everything that happened to me.”
Many believe that Nadal will break the record this year with Federer, who has not played in a year, out of the Australian Open as he continues his recovery from surgery.
The Swiss, who will turn 40 in August, won his 20th Grand Slam at the Australian Open three years ago and Nadal says following in Federer’s footsteps has inspired him throughout his career.
He said: “To have somebody in front of you that’s doing a lot of things better than you, it gives you a clear way about what you need to improve to achieve your goals.
“I think we always had a good relationship, a lot of respect. We did beautiful things together and important things for our sport. We push each other to be better.”
Nadal will be the second seed at the Australian Open and will be looking for a second title at the tournament, having beaten Federer in the final 12 years ago. He has been the runner-up in Melbourne four times since then.
Victory this year would see him move past Federer and also see him become the first man in the Open Era to win each Grand Slam singles title on multiple occasions.
Follow Oli Jefford on Twitter @odicksonjefford.
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
ATP Tour
Casper Ruud breezes into Geneva Open last eight
Casper Ruud sets out to defend Geneva crown.
-
WTA Tour
WTA rules against stripping UK grass court events of points
WTA rules against stripping UK grass court events of points, yet to make call on Wimbledon.
-
WTA Tour
Iga Swiatek to kick off her grass season at Berlin Open
Iga Swiatek to start her grass court swing in the same country as her clay swing.
-
ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz and Andy Murray confirmed for Queen’s as Scot also signs up for Surbiton event
Big names, including Carlos Alcaraz, Andy Murray and Matteo Berrettini, set for Queen’s Club.
-
French Open
Novak Djokovic ‘has a feeling of revenge within him’ ahead of Roland Garros, says Mats Wilander
Mats Wilander backing Novak Djokovic to win back-to-back French Open titles.
-
Tennis News
Simona Halep feeling refreshed as she reveals Patrick Mouratoglou ‘helped me to find my love for tennis again’
Simona Halep thriving under Patrick Mouratoglou.
-
French Open
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova out of French Open and will skip rest of 2022 season due to injury
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova set for lengthy spell on the sidelines.
-
French Open
Rafael Nadal the favourite to win French Open, but Patrick McEnroe is ‘leaning towards’ Novak Djokovic
Patrick McEnroe has his say on the battle for the French Open title.
-
WTA Tour
Emma Raducanu joined by Simona Halep, Sloane Stephens, Jelena Ostapenko at Birmingham event
Quality field set for Rothesay Classic Birmingham.
-
French Open
Daniil Medvedev ‘should be ready for Roland Garros’ as he gives his verdict after Geneva Open defeat
Some positives and some negatives for Daniil Medvedev.