Rafael Nadal finally completed the Career Grand Slam in 2010, after he emerged victorious in the US Open final against Novak Djokovic.
Heading into New York that year, Nadal had five Roland Garros titles to his name, as well as two Wimbledon championships, and a sole Australian Open crown.
At that point, only three men in the Open Era had collected all four major titles: Rod Laver, Andre Agassi, and the Spaniard’s biggest rival, Roger Federer.
After becoming the fourth man since 1968 to achieve the feat, Nadal took questions from the media, who wanted to know where he placed himself among the all-time greats.
The comparison Rafael Nadal called ‘stupid’ after winning the 2010 US Open
A reporter asked Nadal in his post-match press conference: “What do you think you have to accomplish to convince yourself that you’re ahead of Roger, maybe the greatest ever?”
He had increased his major tally to nine after defeating Djokovic that day, meaning he trailed the Swiss legend by seven.
Nadal replied: “Remain a lot of titles, so that’s no doubt about that, no? I think I am more than happy with my titles, for sure.
“I think talking about if I am better or worse than Roger is stupid, because the titles say he’s much better than me, so that’s the truth at that moment. I think it will be true all my life.
All-time Grand Slam titles leaders as of July 2025:
- Novak Djokovic: 24
- Rafael Nadal: 22
- Roger Federer: 20
“But, sure, for me, always, always Roger was an example, 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 so, is the right moment to talk about that, because I don’t think that.”
What Rafael Nadal said about his rivalry with Roger Federer in 2010
When asked how long he thinks his rivalry with Federer would last, Nadal replied: “I don’t know. Well, now Novak is, too, but he has to defend a lot of points now at the end of the season, now, Novak, too.
“He’s gonna have his chance to win the year No. 2, Novak, too. But Roger is there, too, to finish No. 2.
“You know, we start every year, and a lot of new players and good players are there, like well, not new, Novak and Andy are not new, Andy Murray, but always come new players, very good players.
“But for the last six years, Roger and me, we were No. 1 and No. 2, no? So that’s probably a great rivalry since those six years. We will see what happens in the future. I am not a genius.”
The career head-to-head record between Nadal and Federer finished 24-16 in favour of the king of clay.
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