Rafael Nadal has revealed that he is not ‘obsessed’ with winning more Grand Slam titles than fellow greats Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer following victory in Sunday’s Australian Open final.
Nadal put in one of the great Grand Slam performances on Sunday as he came from two sets down to defeat world No. 2 and tournament favourite Daniil Medvedev 3-2.
The Spaniard showed just why he is regarded as one of the sport’s greatest as he rolled back the years with a performance for the ages, just months after rumours grew over his potential retirement.
His win in Melbourne now makes him the most successful male player in Grand Slam history as he secured his 21st title which is one more than his rivals Djokovic and Federer.
Despite moving ahead though the Spaniard revealed he is not ‘obsessed’ with leading the way ahead of his two fellow greats.
He said at a press conference on Wednesday: “My way of seeing it is that I want to be the one with the most of the three, I would love to, but I am neither obsessed nor frustrated. Whatever comes is welcome.”
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After a season plagued with injury in 2022, many tennis fans worried that Nadal may never win an ATP Tour event again, let alone get his hands on yet another Grand Slam title.
And whilst victory in Melbourne moved him ahead as sole lead at the top of the Grand Slam win leaderboard, the Spaniard revealed he is not done on his tally of 21.
He added: “I don’t think 21 is enough to end up being the one with the most, but the future will tell. I feel super lucky in life.”
It seems even Nadal himself doubted his return to the big stage, after months of frustration on the sidelines.
Prior to his trip down under, the Aussie Open champion had not featured in an ATP Tour event since the Washington Open, five months earlier.
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Speaking about his ‘special’ achievement, Nadal revealed that coming away from Melbourne with the title was ‘difficult to imagine’ just ‘weeks ago’.
“I am also taking something that was difficult for me to imagine weeks ago.
“Something special has been achieved, which is to compete to the maximum against the best.
“It is something fundamental for the future, in order to have a good time and to see myself qualified to continue.
“You win or you lose, but the three or four weeks we’ve been through I felt surprisingly good.”
However the 35-year-old is still yet to decide whether he will compete in the event, with his answer depending on whether his ‘body will allow it’.
He commented: “You have to let a few days go by and analyze clearly and calmly.
“I think of Indian Wells with the maximum predetermination and facing Acapulco [Mexican Open] the term is shorter.
“I would like to, but the perspective has changed and I have to make a decision according to what my body allows me so that things go in the best way possible.”
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