Roger Federer is under siege after Rafael Nadal survived a titanic battle to secure a fourth US Open crown and 19th grand slam men’s singles title to edge to within one of the Swiss master’s all-time record majors haul.
A physically and emotionally drained Nadal broke down in tears after confirming himself as much more than the king of clay with an epic five-set final triumph over Daniil Medvedev on Sunday.
Nadal resisted a fierce fightback from Medvedev to end the Russian’s breakout run with a gripping 7-5 6-3 5-7 4-6 6-4 victory over the fifth seed.
Only Federer, Pete Sampras and Jimmy Connors – with five titles each – have reigned in New York more times than Nadal in the 51-year era of professional tennis.
The Spaniard’s four hour and 49 minute victory also extended the dominance of the sport’s big three – Nadal, Federer and Novak Djokovic – to 12 straight slams.
More significantly, Nadal is now in position to catch Federer at the Australian Open in January, then surpass his great rival with a 13th title at Roland Garros to become the most successful men’s performer in grand slam history.
“I always say the same: I would love to be the one who win more,” the 33-year-old said.
“But I am not thinking and I not going to practice every day or not playing tennis for it.
“I am playing tennis because I love to play tennis.
“Tennis is more than grand slams.
“That competition, if that attracts fans and create interest on the people, that’s good for our sport.
“I feel honoured to be part of this battle.
“But I repeat the same: you can’t be all day looking next to you about if one having more or one having little bit less because you will be frustrated.
“All the things that I achieved in my career are much more than what I ever thought and what I ever dream.”
But make no mistake, tennis’s GOAT status is well and truly on the line.
Nadal has never been closer to Federer in the grand slam count.
At one point, after he won the fourth of his five titles in New York in 2007, Federer was nine slams clear.
The Swiss still had four more majors than Nadal as recent as after winning his 20th at last year’s Australian Open.
But even after pulling to within one of the 38-year-old Federer, whose time to amass more must surely be running out, Nadal insisted now was the time to savour his “special” win over Medvedev.
“This trophy means everything to me today, especially the way the match became so difficult, so tough,” he said.
“I was able to hold the nerves because the nerves were so high. It’s been a crazy match.
“The way that the match became very dramatic at the end, that makes this day unforgettable, part of my history of this sport.”