Rafael Nadal does not need to beat Roger Federer’s Grand Slam record to go down as the greatest of all time, according to Feliciano Lopez.
World No 2 Nadal won his 19th major tournament at the US Open earlier this month and is just one off Federer’s record.
Novak Djokovic is younger than both of his rivals and a serious contender the leapfrog the pair as he sits on 16 Grand Slam titles.
But Lopez, who won the Queen’s doubles title alongside Andy Murray this summer, has tipped his fellow Spaniard Nadal to leave a stronger legacy.
“Rafa doesn’t need to be the player with the most Grand Slam to go down in history as one of the best,” Lopez told Marca.
“I hope he wins many more. He has demonstrated and continues to demonstrate that it is a phenomenon.
“Until he retires, Djokovic and Roger are not worthy cabal.
“It will depend a lot on the physical conditions of each one.”
Lopez has not featured since his loss to Daniil Medvedev in the third round of the US Open.
Medvedev went on to reach the final where he fell agonisingly short against Nadal in an epic five-setter.
“It was a game that, despite the defeat, I enjoyed the great level of play,” Lopez reflected.
“I competed from you to you with one of the fittest players.
“It is these types of games that one wishes to play and for which I continue to sacrifice myself in day-to-day training.
“It was no surprise that he reached the final.
“The whole year, and in particular this summer, has been the most regular. It has proven to be the most consistent of young people.”
