'It's Crazy,' Roger Federer Opens Up About Grand Slam Race With Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic

Roger Federer has said he is not extending his career to stop Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic from beating his Grand Slam record.

The Swiss ace has the all-time record in men's tennis with 20 Grand Slam titles to his name, while Nadal and Djoko have added two majors each to their accounts this season. That meant, Nadal is just one Grand Slam away from leveling Federer, while Djokovic has taken his tally to 16. Meanwhile, the 38-year-old Federer is racing against the time to extend his lead but the former World No. 1 has admitted that trying to save his world record is not his current goal.

"I guess it is a little bit of motivation but it is not the reason why I am still on the tour," Federer replied when he was asked if the threat from Nadal and Djokovic was a motivation for him.

"I’m really trying to achieve as much as possible that I can, that I can control. It was cool to get to 100 titles in Dubai this year. That was something extraordinary for me. Of course, every record is there to be broken but what Rafa and Novak have done is tremendous, crazy and they will achieve more as well, I know that."

"But I am not on the tour trying to stretch my lead but of course, if I am on tour it also trying to win more Grand Slams, other titles and have a good time," said Federer in an interview in Shanghai.

Federer also mentioned that the new generation is knocking on the door so there is a scope of a lot of competition at the moment.

"I enjoy my rivalry with Novak and Rafa and others. We have so many. I enjoy (playing with) my rivals that we have so many stories and highlights in tennis. As long as I am motivated to do that - fitness, practice and all the travelings - things are looking good. When you are healthy like I am now, it's funnier to play, because when you have one problem, two and three, you need a break and you feel like foggy," the Swiss legend added.