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Nadal not focused on Federer’s Grand Slam record
ABU DHABI, Dec 19, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – 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 little 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
unforgettable experience to finish that way.”
Nadal’s Davis Cup participation meant he had to finish his 2019 season
later than usual – on November 24 – and the Mallorcan says he just started
hitting again a week and a half ago in preparation for 2020.
He will get a taste of where his level is at when he takes on either Karen
Khachanov or Chung Hyeon in the Emirati capital on Friday, before resuming
his pre-season training back home ahead of the Australian summer.
Asked if usurping Federer is a main target for him moving forward, the top-
ranked Nadal said: “I can’t say yes because honestly I just work on my diary
basis. I have to do my things the best way possible and then to just give
myself chances to keep being competitive at the highest level possible.
“So if that happens, great, if not, I just gave my best all my career to be
in the position that I am today. And obviously of course, increase the number
of 20, or tying 20 would be something amazing, but I cannot complain at all.
“I’m super happy the way I am having my tennis career, I gave my best all
the time and I’m proud about the way I worked and the way I enjoyed the
tennis during all these years.
“So I just really believe and hope that I can keep having the chance to
keep going and keep having fun and keep giving myself chances to compete at
the highest level.”
BSS/AFP/MSY/1847 hrs