Tennis superstar and former world number one Roger Federer has shot down talks that if Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic were not around he would've won more Grand Slam titles. According to him, such statements are not true.
Roger Federer, 35, also said that it doesn't matter whether Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic were around. He would still win the same number of Grand Slam titles. Currently, Roger Federer has won 17 Grand Slam titles.
"I think if they (Nadal and Djokovic) hadn't been around, there would have been someone else. Or maybe without them I'd wouldn't have the same motivation and the same career. I don't know how to explain it, but I think I would have the same number of Slams, with or without them," Roger Federer said.
Talks of whether Roger Federer would win more Grand Slams started when former Australian tennis player Todd Woodbridge last week voiced out his opinion. In an interview with Tennis Smash, Todd Woodridge said that Roger Federer would have won 20 Grand Slam titles if Rafael Nadal were not around. Todd Woodridge also added that Roger Federer is the best player of all time.
"Of all the players I have seen, Federer is the best of all time, who can play on all surfaces. If it wouldn't be for Rafael Nadal, he would have won more Roland Garros, and now maybe he would have 20 Slam titles," Todd Woodridge said.
Todd Woodridge has won 16 Grand Slam titles in doubles, including nine titles at Wimbledon.
Since his semifinal loss due to a knee injury at the 2016 Wimbledon Championships, Roger Federer has not competed in any event. Recently, Roger Federer confirmed that he would return earlier than expected. The Swiss legend will be playing in the International Premier Tennis League (ITPL) which is scheduled to start on December 2.
"It remains to be seen under what condition I will return, since I haven't played since last Wimbledon, but I'm very excited to get back on the court. I have trained well, and I think it's time to play matches again," Roger Federer said.
Roger Federer is currently ranked 16th in the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) rankings. Andy Murray, from Great Britain, is the number one ranked player in the ATP. He is the first person from England to be ranked number one since 1973.
