Rafael Nadal is gaining on Roger Federer. Quickly.
By winning four of the past five Grand Slam tournaments—capped by a victory over Federer in Sunday’s French Open final—Nadal has raised his career haul to 10 major championships. That’s only six fewer than Federer’s proudly held record of 16.
“Ten Grand Slams is a lot,” Federer said. “He knows this. I know this. Everybody knows this.”
Seven men in the history of tennis have managed to win at least that many: Federer, Pete Sampras (14), Roy Emerson (12), Bjorn Borg (11), Rod Laver (11), Bill Tilden (10), and Nadal.
Of that group, only Borg was younger when he cradled his 10th Grand Slam trophy than Nadal, who was two days past his 25th birthday when he beat Federer 7-5, 7-6 (3), 5-7, 6-1 Sunday at Roland Garros.
