Roger Federer backs Nadal to break his record

Rafael nadal has won 13 grand Slams. — AP

Roger Federer can foresee a time when Rafael Nadal overtakes his Grand Slam record, but stresses he may yet raise the bar higher than its current level of 17 titles.

The Swiss is currently three majors ahead of American Pete Sampras (on 14) on the all-time list, with Nadal a further GS trophy back in third place.

Nadal came within one more final victory of moving level with Sampras at last month’s Australian Open, where a back injury hampered him in a three-sets-to-one defeat to Federer’s compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka.

Still, the Spanish world number one is nearly five years younger than Federer and thus has sufficient time — fitness and health permitting — to surpass the world number eight’s impressive haul in due course. “Yeah. Absolutely,” Federer replied when asked if he could envisage Nadal eclipsing his Grand Slam record.

“It’s been there for some time, but the good thing is that I’m still playing and my goal is to make sure that I add more titles to my count as well.

“Not just Grand Slam titles either because that’s not the only reason why I’m playing tennis. I love any tournament I play. I play a select few during the year and Dubai is an important tournament for me.

“So are the Slams as well clearly, but the focus now — for instance — is very much on the 500s and the 1000s. If it were just the Slams, why am I playing all of these events? Just to keep myself busy? That’s not what I need to do.

“There are many guys who have a few opportunities and clearly Rafa has the most chance because he’s been so successful, especially at the French Open.”