Roger Federer was unable to win a Grand Slam in 2019 and has seen the gap close significantly.
Roger Federer says he is not extending his career to stop Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic from beating his Grand Slam title record.
Federer leads the all-time list with 20 Majors but this year Nadal and Djokovic have added two titles to their tallies.
It means Nadal is now on 19, one behind Federer, while Djokovic is on 16.
At 38 years old, Federer is running out of time to extend his lead and must also contend with a vastly improving young generation.
Speaking in an interview with China Global Television Network in Shanghai, Federer was asked if the threat from Nadal and Djokovic was a motivation for him.
And the Swiss star spoke openly about what is driving him to continue.
He said: “I guess it is a little bit of a motivation but it is not the reason why I am still on the tour.
“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.
“And there is a new generation too knocking on the door. And you try to keep them at bay. So there is a lot going on.
“But I enjoy my rivalry with Novak and Rafa and others. And Murray is back too.
“We have so many great stories in tennis and so many highlights we can look forward too.”
