Advertisement

'Not enough': Rafa Nadal's brutally honest Aus Open confession

Rafa Nadal (pictured) gesturing to the crowd after winning the Australian Open title.
Rafa Nadal (pictured) has admitted he doesn't think 21 grand slam titles will be enough to hold the men's record. (Getty Images)

Rafa Nadal has admitted he would like to finish as the male tennis player with the most grand slam titles, but has admitted he does not think the number 21 will hold off his closest rival.

The Spaniard created history at the Australian Open after winning his second title at Melbourne Park, which took him ahead of both Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer on the all-time men's leaderboard for grand slams.

'THIS IS A JOKE': Dylan Alcott cops staggering snub on global stage

'GETTING VACCINATED': Bombshell twist in Novak Djokovic scandal

Nadal prevailed in what has been described as the 'greatest comeback' in the Ope Era to defeat Daniil Medvedev 2-6, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 in the final.

Speaking at the Rafa Nadal Academy following his historic achievement, Nadal admitted he now has a large target on his back.

While the Spaniard admitted he would like to hold onto the record for most grand slams, he doesn't think 21 titles will be enough.

“Do I want to be the one with the most Grand Slams? Yes, I do," Nadal said.

"Am I obsessed or frustrated by the idea of not being the one? Zero.

"I don’t think 21 will be enough to end being the one with the most Grand Slams”.

Nadal is most likely referring to Djokovic's bid to finish with the most grand slam titles.

Djokovic drew level with Nadal and Federer last year after winning the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon in a remarkable year.

Many tennis experts have tipped the Serbian to finish with the most titles, however his deportation from Australia and Nadal's victory has again reinvigorated the debate as both players approach the latter of their careers.

Rafa Nadal admits to nerves during Australian Open final

With the weight of history sitting on his broad shoulders, it is no surprise Nadal admitted to feeling very nervous ahead of the final.

The Spaniard came out and surprised many experts with his tentative approach, which was a contradiction to how he had played the majority of the tournament.

Yet Nadal turned it around in the third set and played with more freedom, which resulted in one of the most remarkable comebacks in the Open Era.

“I was nervous before the final because I knew that I was playing for something important, but this year everything was upside down. I had three hard months without being able to train properly and then the virus," he said.

The 21-grand slam champion said he didn't think he would be in the final after taking six-months off from Tour.

Rafa Nadal (pictured) speaks at the Rafa Nadal Academy next to the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup.
Rafa Nadal (pictured) speaks next to the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup trophy following his victory in the Australian Open. (Photo by JAIME REINA/AFP via Getty Images)

However, he said a moment during his match with Karen Khachanov triggered a belief that he could go all the way and win the 2022 Australian Open title.

The Spaniard had lost four times in the Australian Open final, before 2022, with his maiden title coming back in 2009.

The win meant he became just the second men's player to have at least two grand slam titles at each major, joining Djokovic.

Nadal is now planning on resting his long-term foot injury.

However, he did claim he would aim to play both Acapulco and Indian Wells before taking part in another push at Roland Garros.

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.