Rafael Nadal insists he and Roger Federer aren't thinking about breaking each other's joint Grand Slam record at the French Open
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Barnaby Lane
May 29, 2021, 20:29 IST
Rafael Nadal.Getty/Tim Clayton-Corbis
Rafael Nadal insists he and Roger Federer aren't thinking about winning a 21st Grand Slam at the French Open.
Both men can become the most decorated men's tennis player ever with victory at Roland-Garros.
"I never have been obsessed about winning more than the rest," Nadal told Insider.
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Rafael Nadal insisted to Insider that neither he nor Roger Federer is thinking about winning a 21st Grand Slam title at the upcoming French Open.
Both men have currently won 20 majors apiece, and victory at Roland-Garros for either will see them move ahead in the all-time leaderboard, and become the most decorated men's player in tennis history.
Federer, on the other hand, has been recovering from two arthroscopic right knee surgeries he underwent last year and has played in just two tournaments since the turn of the year.
"My approach is Roland-Garros, my approach is not the 21," Nadal told Insider when asked if he's thinking about edging out Federer to Slam number 21.
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"Roland-Garros is one of the most important events in the world, and for me, personally, probably the most important event of my tennis career. It is always special to play there. I've probably enjoyed the most beautiful moments of my tennis career there.
"I never have been obsessed about winning more than the rest and all this stuff. Of course, I want it, of course, I am trying hard, but I am just happy doing what I'm doing and just happy being competitive still today and giving myself a chance to compete against the young guys."
On Federer, the Spaniard added: "I don't think he's thinking about 21. My feeling is he's thinking about enjoying life and enjoy playing tennis, a little bit like me.
"If it arrives, fantastic. If not, he knows that he is an amazing place in the history of sport. So I am sure that he is very proud about what he did and what he's doing now.
"If I was on his position, coming back from an injury, a long-term injury, I would not be thinking about the 21, I would be thinking about recovering well and feeling myself [being] competitive again.
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"You know that if you are healthy and you are able to play tournaments in a row, then you're going to have your chances. So I mean for him, for sure this the is the right thing to do."
Both Nadal and Federer kick off their French Open campaign this weekend. Third seed Nadal will face Australian Alexei Popyrin, while eighth seed Federer takes on an as of yet unknown qualifier.
Nadal and Federer, as well as world No.1 Novak Djokovic, are all in the same half of the draw for the tournament, meaning only one of them is able to reach the final, a rarity in Grand Slam events in the past few years.
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