11-time Roland Garros winner Rafael Nadal has opened up about his friendship with former World No. 1 Roger Federer.
Both Nadal and Federer have dominated the sport since making their respective returns from injuries at the start of 2017, with Federer triumphing at the Australian Open and Wimbledon after spending six-months on the sidelines due to a knee injury in 2016, while Nadal bagged the French Open and the US Open crowns after coming back from a wrist injury.
The Swiss superstar then went on to defend his Australian Open title in January and Nadal successfully etched his name in the history books last week as he won an unbelievable 11th trophy at the French Open, which was also his 17th Grand Slam title.
Even though Nadal edged closer to Federer’s Grand Slam count in Paris, the Spaniard insisted Federer’s record will never be in consideration whenever he will decide to hang his boots.
“I would not talk about friendship. I have a fantastic relationship with Federer,” Nadal told Italian magazine IoDonna.
“But my motivation in the field does not change depending on who I’m facing.
“When you play you have to be cold. The only goal must be to overcome oneself.
“Because you can win or lose, but the only real satisfaction is to bring yourself beyond the limit.”
“As a boy I thought that at thirty I would have already retired and instead I’m still here,” Nadal added.
“The only thing I know is that I will have a family.
“Of course, I’m not alone.”
While Nadal is currently resting in Majorca after pulling out of a key Wimbledon warm-up event in Queen’s in London, Federer is playing in the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart this week. A victory in the tournament will give the 36-year-old a place back at the top of the men’s rankings ahead of Nadal, who will drop down to No. 2 behind Federer.
