Rafa currently has 16 Majors from his illustrious career. Federer, on the other hand, pulled four clear of his great rival with his fifth Australian Open triumph in Melbourne last month.
Rafael Nadal believes it's not impossible for him to catch up with Roger Federer's Grand Slam haul of 20.
Rafa currently has 16 Majors from his illustrious career. Federer, on the other hand, pulled four clear of his great rival with his fifth Australian Open triumph in Melbourne last month.
The 31-year-old Spaniard feels he still has a chance of catching up. "Unattainable not, unlikely yes,” he told Ultima Hora. “It's not something that worries me, or what I think. I make my way without looking at the one next door and it's something for tennis and for life.
“You could always be frustrated comparing yourself (to others). It is not a good philosophy. You have to be satisfied with what you do if you try everything you can. There is always someone with more titles or more things, so I am satisfied with what I do, grateful for what life gives me and happy for the good that happens to others," added Nadal.
Federer, at 36, isn't getting any younger. Having said that, one wouldn't bet against him winning another Grand Slam or two on grass and hard courts. Although the Swiss hasn't been taking part in the clay-court season since a couple of years now, there's no doubt that he still has a lot of tennis left in him.
Rafa's best chance off adding to his tally seems to be his beloved French Open. And while he's still a major force on hard courts, his biggest enemy in his quest has to be his own injury-prone body.
Nadal on his comeback
Meanwhile, World No.1 Nadal, who is currently recovering from a thigh injury, is hoping to make a return in competitive tennis by the end of this month.
The Spanish maestro was forced to retire from the season-opening Grand Slam - Australian Open - in his quarter-final clash against Croatia's Marin Cilic due to the same injury.
Nadal was also expected to miss the Mexican Open at the end of the month to allow him to recover fully, but he believes he would be fit in time to be back for the Acapulco tournament, beginning February 26.
"It's a small injury that needs time and rest and recovery, and that's what we're doing. For the moment my schedule is the same and I think I'll be able to travel to Mexico to play at Acapulco," the Daily Express quoted Nadal, as saying.
The 31-year-old's comments came after bagging the Sportsperson of the Year award at the Mundo Deportivo Grand Gala.
In case, Nadal does not play in Mexico or fails to reach the semi-finals of the tournament and Roger Federer wins the Dubai Open in the same week, then the top-ranked player would lose his spot to the Swiss star, who recently lifted his sixth Australian Open title.
Here are the current ATP Rankings
1. Rafael Nadal (ESP) - 9,760 (Points)
2. Roger Federer (SUI) - 9,605
3. Marin Cilic (CRO) - 4,960
4. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) - 4,630
5. Alexander Zverev (GER) - 4,610
6. Dominic Thiem (AUT) - 4,060
7. David Goffin (BEL) - 3,460
8. Jack Sock (USA) - 2,880
9 Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) - 2,815
10. Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) - 2,705
11. Kevin Anderson (RSA) - 2,620
12. Sam Querrey (USA) - 2,490
13. Novak Djokovic (SRB) - 2,470
14. Nick Kyrgios (AUS) - 2,395
15. Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) - 2,385
16. Tomas Berdych (CZE) - 2,320
17. Lucas Pouille (FRA) - 2,235
18. John Isner (USA) - 2,230
19. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) - 2,050
20. Andy Murray (GBR) - 1,960
(Inputs from ANI)
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