Grand Slam king Roger Federer says it's inevitable both Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will break his record of 20 major titles.
Nineteen-time Grand Slam champ Nadal says playing his peak level is pivotal to a record run.
Nadal: Disarming and Dominant in AO Opener
The world No. 1, who last won the Australian Open in 2009, disarmed Hugo Dellien 6-2, 6-3, 6-0 to roll into the AO second round for the 14th time in 15 appearances, insists he isn't obsessed with breaking the Grand Slam record.
"If I am able to reach my highest level, that's the thing that I have to worry about," Nadal said. "If I am able to play at my highest level, normally I am able to produce some good chances. If not, impossible.
"So I don't care about 20 or 15 or 16. I just care about try to keep going, keep enjoying my tennis career. Is not like 20 is the number that I need to reach. If I reach 20, fantastic. If I reach 21, better. If I reach 19, super happy about all the things that I did in my tennis career, no? "
Playing for his first Australian Open crown in 11 years, the US Open champion says while he doesn't believe winning 21 majors will make him happier than owning 19 Slams, he's committed to giving his best to see where it will take him.
"I am very satisfied about my tennis career because I give it all most of the time," Nadal said. "That's only thing that matters because I don't think honestly, something I don't really think about it. I don't think in the future being achieving 21 Grand Slams, for example, I'm going to be happier than if I am 19 in 10 years.
"I won the US Open few months ago, and I was super happy in that moment. But today I'm happier than if I didn't win the US Open? Probably not. That's the only thing that matters in this life, no? Of course, I want to do it the best way possible because that's what I am doing since the beginning of my life almost. But only thing I can do is put all my efforts on try to keep going the best way possible. The rest of the things, the future will see."
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