Google News Rafael Nadal: 'Finishing above Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic would not mean much..'
by JOVICA ILIC | VIEW 26796
Ahead of the US Open, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal and tied on 20 Major titles. Nadal had to skip Wimbledon and the US Open due to a foot injury, hoping to start all over in 2022 and fight for notable titles again.
Rafa claimed the first Major title a couple of days after turning 19 on his Roland Garros debut in 2005. Standing as the dominant figure in Paris, Nadal lifted nine titles from ten trips to his beloved event until 2014, entering the record books and becoming the GOAT contender.
Alongside his Roland Garros domination, Nadal also became the player to beat at the other three Majors, constantly improving his game on hard and grass. The Spaniard won his first Wimbledon crown in 2008 and added the Australian Open and the US Open to his tally in the following two years to become a proud owner of a Career Grand Slam at 24!
Rafael Nadal spoke about the GOAT race between him and Djokovic and Federer.
Speaking about the GOAT race against Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in February last year, Nadal said he is not obsessed with it. The Spaniard admitted he would give his best to finish his career ahead of both but accepting he can also finish third on the exclusive list.
Nadal did not play many tournaments last year, staying away from the court until September and claiming his 20th Major title at Roland Garros to match Roger Federer's record for the first time. Novak Djokovic joined them at the top after Wimbledon and will try to pass great rivals at the US Open.
"Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and I have a WhatsApp group, we have been doing the same kind of job for years, and we all love tennis very much. We also have the responsibility to promote our sport in the right way, trying to take care of things that could bring tennis to a higher level.
We do not joke much about our Major tally. We all have been doing things in our way; I would love to finish with more Major crowns than anybody else, but that's something I'm not obsessed with. I'm super happy about my tennis career, and life would continue if Roger or Novak, or both, finish ahead of me in that race.
In ten years, that will not make my life more or less happier; I'm just trying to enjoy what I'm doing. I do not like to bet and can not predict who will finish at the top; I'm part of that process, and I do not care that much," Rafael Nadal said.