Despite Being Close Behind, Rafael Nadal's Goal Is Not To Chase Roger Federer's Grand Slam Record Though He Admits It Would Be Great To Surpass Him

Rafael Nadal emphasises that he is not after Roger Federer¡¯s record number of Grand Slams, but admits he would feel great if he went past him

Nadal now has 19 Grand Slams while Federer leads the pack with 20.

Nadal will end 2019 as the World No. 1 and at 33 he is the oldest to end the year at that position.

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¡°Happy to achieve these things, but I would love to have five years less,¡± he told reporters.

¡°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," he added.

¡°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,¡± he went on to say.

Nadal took part in the Davis Cup so his season ended later than usual. But he is all set for 2020.

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¡°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," was Nadal's take on going past Federer.

¡°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.

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¡°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,¡± he insisted.