Roger Federer on Grand Slam races with Nadal and Djokovic: "The special moment was to break the record - not to hold it"
Roger Federer remains relaxed about his Grand Slam record.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Dec 25, 2019, 10:37 pm
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic slowly but surely approach Roger Federer: With his victory at the US Open, the Spaniard stalked 20 with Federer with 20 Grand Slam titles - the difference between the two has never been closer , And: Novak Djokovic is already lurking behind with 16 wins in the major tournaments.
However, it would not be a problem for Federer if the two of them passed him: "That would be okay," he said as part of his South America tour with Alexander Zverev. "I can't stop them from doing it. I can only control what I can control."
Federer said that he was very proud and happy when he overtook Sampras. And Nadal or Djokovic: "Should it be if it happens," said the maestro. "The special moment was to break the record - not to hold it," said Federer. He had broken the record of 14 Grand Slam titles by Pete Sampras at the time when he won the Wimbledon tournament in 2009; the American had only replaced Roy Emerson as the record holder in 2000.
It should be very interesting how many more the two can win, how long they can stay on the tour. "They are really incredible players."
Federer: Time out in 2016 brought new energy
That he has 20 titles at all - maybe this is thanks to his involuntary break in 2016. Federer had torn his meniscus in Melbourne at the time, followed by a small operation, "but the knee was still not good." Federer then took a break and announced his end of season at the end of July. "I needed more breaks, took six months and ultimately missed eight months in 2016."
But what this timeout brought: "It set me to zero and gave me new energy. After all, I've been on the tour for around 20 years. I think this energy has ... I don't know how many tournaments I do won since then, "pondered Federer. There were 15 more.
And even though it was a difficult time back then. "But I didn't think of resigning."