Nadal plays down Federer comparisons
US Open champion Rafael Nadal cut a humble figure when asked whether he would surpass Swiss player Roger Federer's achievements on the ATP World Tour.
With his four-set victory over Novak Djokovic in the final on Monday evening, Nadal became one of seven players to have won all four Grand Slam titles.
The Spaniard joins tennis legends Fred Perry, Don Budge, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, Andre Agassi and Federer in the exclusive group, proving that the 24-year-old is the best player of his generation.
At the post-match press conference, Nadal modestly stated that he believed Federer, 29, will always be a better player than him.
"For me, always Roger was an example," Nadal told reporters, "especially because he improved his tennis I think during all his career, and that's a good thing that you can copy, no? So I try to copy this and I know Roger and me are different, much different styles. Being better than Roger — I don't think it's the right moment to talk about that because I don't think that."
With nine Grand Slam titles to his name, the Majorcan stands a good chance of surpassing Federer's 16 titles should his form continue.
Triumphed off the clay court
After winning the first French Open he had entered in 2005, Nadal quickly rose on the world rankings. As a distinguished clay player, some doubted he would be able to triumph in tournaments played on hard court and grass.
But shortly after the Wimbledon final between Federer and Nadal in 2008, hailed by many as the greatest Wimbledon final ever, the Spaniard overtook Federer in the overall rankings to finally become world number one. Nadal won that match in five sets. Since then Federed regained his top ranking, only to have lost it again to Nadal this summer.
With all the Grand Slams and an Olympic gold from 2008 to his name, Nadal said that he will now focus on the ATP World Tour Finals, due to be played in London in November.
"That's true it's the most difficult title for me to win because we play it indoors on a very quick surface, so it's always going to be very difficult if we don't change that," he said, readying himself for the next challenge.
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