Nadal not focused on Federer’s Grand Slam record
ABU DHABI: Rafael Nadal insists he is not focused on chasing Roger Federer’s record Grand Slam haul, but admits it would be “amazing” if he manages to eclipse the Swiss star’s tally of 20 majors won.
Nadal’s heroics in 2019 saw him capture a 12th Roland Garros and fourth US Open and the
Spaniard is now just one Slam shy of Federer’s men’s all-time record.
At 33, Nadal became the oldest year-end No.1 when he secured that position last month, following a tremendous season that saw him scoop four titles on tour, along with the Davis Cup crown for Spain.
“Happy to achieve these things, but I would love to have five years less,” Nadal joked with reporters in Abu Dhabi on Thursday ahead of his 10th appearance at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship exhibition. “It has been a li le bit of a magic year because it had been a good start, but then
I went through a couple of very hard months in terms of injuries.
“Then I came back and I came back well. I started to play at a very high level again. I enjoyed a lot of great moments on court, very emotional ones, Roland Garros, Rome, then New York, that final was amazing, and then of course ending the season with that Davis Cup title on home soil, so an unforge able experience to finish that way.”
Nadal’s Davis Cup participation meant he had to finish his 2019 season later than usual - on Nov 24 - and the Mallorcan says he just started hi ing again a week and a half ago in preparation for 2020. — AFP