Rafael Nadal says he’ll be ‘super happy’ with his career whether he beats Roger Federer record or not
Rafael Nadal insists he is not thinking about equalling Roger Federer’s Grand Slam record after he made a solid start at the Australian Open.
A win in Melbourne would see Nadal draw level with Federer on 20 Grand Slam titles, and make hi the first man to complete a double career slam.
However, Nadal says that he is more interested in focusing on smaller goals, knowing that should he do that the bigger accolades will probably follow.
“If I am able to reach my highest level, that’s the thing that I have to worry about,” Nadal told reporters after he beat Hugo Dellien 6-2, 6-3, 6-0 in his first-round match in Melbourne.
“If I am able to play at my highest level, normally I am able to produce some good chances [of getting records]. If not, impossible.
“So I don’t care about 20 or 15 or 16 [Grand Slam titles]. I just care about trying to keep going, keep enjoying my tennis career.
“If I reach 20, fantastic. If I reach 21, better. If I reach 19, super happy about all the things that I did in my tennis career.”
Nadal was impressive against Dellien, breaking the Bolivian eight times en-route to victory.
He, though, actually says he was holding back a little and taking a cautious approach.
“It has been a solid start,” said the world number one, who next faces either Federico Delbonis or Joao Sousa.
“I think the third set was a great set. I think I played a very good level of tennis. The first two I played with a little bit more caution.
“I think I was just trying to not do something very good, but not doing something very bad. Just trying to play a solid game with not many mistakes.
Keep up to date with all the action at our tennis news section. Win amazing tennis prizes by entering our competitions. Learn more about your favourite players including Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Check out the latest kit in our tennis gear reviews. Receive regular updates with our legendary newsletter or read in depth features with stunning photography in tennishead magazine. Can’t visit the tournaments you love? Check out our guide on how to watch tennis on TV. Don’t miss a thing with our Live Scores service. Follow tennishead on social media at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube
