Tennis

What Rafael Nadal said after winning his first major title was a warning to Roger Federer


Rafael Nadal is now only one Grand Slam title behind Roger Federer’s record tally of 20, but there was a time when that gap was much bigger.

The Swiss veteran had won four major titles before Nadal had won his first, but the gap was as big as nine in 2010.

However, it was the Spaniard said after his first victory in 2005 that would showcase how he would style the rest of his career, and what could help him become the most decorated male player of all time.

“When I won the first time here [at Roland Garros in 2005], for me was in that moment the most important day of my career,” Nadal told reporters back in 2010.

“After that victory I came back to the hotel and I said, ‘OK, I won the most important thing that I can win in tennis’.

“So then I gonna play with less pressure, more calm the rest of my career.”

That mindset has helped Nadal win 12 Grand Slam titles in France alone, with his overall tally now standing at 19.

The 33-year-old is ranked No. 1 in the world after his spectacular double in 2019, and has hopes of toppling Federer next time out.

“You win, you lose. That’s part of the sport,” Nadal said on the topic in September.

“Of course, I would love to be the one who achieves more Grand Slams, but I still sleep very well without being the one who has more Grand Slams.

“I am happy about my career. I am very happy about what I’m doing.

“I’m going to keep working hard to try to produce chances.”

Federer and Nadal have come head-to-head three times in the current calendar year, with the former coming through twice – the first being via a walkover.

The overall tally is now 24-16 in the Spaniard’s favour, with Federer, 38, unlikely to match his younger opponent as time goes on.

The Grand Slam meetings between the two are now 10-4 in favour of Nadal, with the famous duo now coming to the end of their illustrious careers.



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