Rafael Nadal isn’t denying the claim that he could have won more Grand Slams had he stayed healthier throughout his career but insists that he is happy with his success and that finishing behind Novak Djokovic in the Grand Slam race isn’t making him any less happy with his achievements.
When the 38-year-old confirmed earlier this month that this was his last season on the pro level, the Serb became guaranteed to finish ahead of the Spaniard in the Slam battle. After winning back-to-back Majors at the start of 2022, the Spanish tennis icon improved to 22 Slams and he was two Majors ahead of the Serb and Roger Federer. But since then, Nadal has appeared in just two Grand Slams due to major injury issues while Djokovic added four Majors to his collection to improve to get to 24 titles in that category.
Since the Spaniard didn’t get to play much over the last two years and be a contender for Slams, some argue the situation could have been different had he been healthy enough to regularly compete. Even Toni Nadal suggested that his nephew could have won more on the biggest stage if he didn’t battle injury issues throughout his career. Now, the record 14-time French Open winner himself answered that question.
“Maybe, but… In the end it is obvious that I have missed out more than all my rivals, in terms of chances of winning Grand Slams, but the reality is that this has happened to me. I am never one to think ‘if I had done it’ or ‘if I hadn’t had’ (those injuries). It has been like this and, with it, I have had a career that I would never have imagined and I am more than happy. I have spoken about it with Federer recently, with Carlos (Alcaraz) and his family here one morning the other day,” Nadal told Diario AS.
“You want to be the best when you are in competition, because it is the nature of sport. I have wanted to be the best or at least I have wanted to try to be the best. But that has never led me to have an obsession with it. My desire has always been as a personal challenge, of wanting to be the best due to my own motivation and improvement. I believe in having a good and big ambition, but at the same time healthy.”
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal© Novak Djokovic/Instagram – Fair Use
Nadal reveals details from his recent conversation with Federer
When the Swiss tennis icon announced his retirement in 2022 September, it was clear that both Nadal and Djokovic would finish ahead of him in the Grand Slam race. Since his retirement, the Serb added three Majors to his collection and became the first male player ever with 24 Slams. However, according to the Spaniard, both he and the 43-year-old Swiss are extremely happy and satisfied with that they have been able to achieve and their Serbian tennis star finishing ahead of them doesn’t make them frustrated.
“And I said it the other day speaking with Federer. Yes, it is true that when you are in the middle of the race and competing, you want to win. But you get to the end of your career and, honestly, I’m not even the slightest bit more satisfied than Federer for having 22 (Grand Slam titles) and he 20. And I don’t think I’d be any more satisfied or happy if I were 25, one more than (Novak’s) 24. I say this from the heart,” Nadal added.
“Of course I’d like to be 25, without a doubt, because that’s what sport is about, trying to be the best. However, when it’s over, you value what it’s been all together, not whether it’s been a little bit more. I think you value that in the end you’ve managed to give your best, live, make one of your childhood hobbies a very important part of your life. And, on top of that, successfully. I feel very lucky, beyond the injuries. The fact of having had all these problems, and I mean it, has made me value at all times all the positive things that have happened to me. I think it’s allowed me to enjoy it.”
This season, Djokovic didn’t win any Grand Slams and it was the first season since 2018 that it happened. However, he shut down retirement rumors last week during the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh last week and made it clear that he believes he can still win another Slam. If that happens, Djokovic will become the first-ever tennis player – male or female – with 25 Grand Slams in singles.