Rafael Nadal defeated
Daniil Medvedev in an epic five-set match to lift the
Australian Open title on Sunday, but the Spaniard doesn't believe his record of 21 Grand Slams will be enough to see him remain as the male player with the most Major titles in tennis history.
Speaking at the Rafa Nadal Academy, Nadal said, “Not long ago, I’d be happy just coming back and playing tennis and now I have 21. My speech doesn’t change and neither does my approach to it”.
The former World No.1 has been tied with
Roger Federer and
Novak Djokovic at 20 Grand Slams each, before finally passing his rivals with the victory at Melbourne Park on Sunday. However, the 35-year old is now aware that he has a huge target on his back.
"Do I want to be the one with the most Grand Slams? Yes, I do," admitted Nadal. "Am I obsessed or frustrated by the idea of not being the one? Zero. I don’t think 21 will be enough to end being the one with the most Grand Slams”.
With Federer eager to return to the courts following his knee surgery last year, and Djokovic still playing some of the best tennis of his career, it seems like the Serbian is the most likely to match and even move ahead of Nadal's record.