Proud Rafael Nadal knows his French Open record is likely to outlive him

He may not have been as successful at the other Grand Slam tournaments, but Rafael Nadal would never trade any of his record 12 French Open victories.

Rafael Nadal is proud of his record 12 French Open titles and does not think he will see the total beaten in his lifetime.

The world number one has given a series of Christmas interviews to media in his homeland of Spain and also admitted he thought he would be retired with children by his current age of 33.

Instead, Nadal goes into 2020 just one Grand Slam behind Roger Federer’s record of 20, on his best form for a decade.

Nadal won the US Open and led Spain to Davis Cup glory towards the end of the year after winning at Roland Garros for a record 12th time back in June.

Max Decugis won his eighth French Open back in 1914, while Bjorn Borg claimed the last of his six back in 1981, with Nadal’s mark of 12 far and away the best of all time.

The Spaniard knows it is something spectacular and it continues to be a source of immense pride, as he explained to Diario de Mallorca.

“I wouldn’t trade a Roland Garros for having another Wimbledon,” he said. “Winning 12 times is very special.

“If I have achieved it, another player can obtain it because I am normal, but it is necessary to be aware that it is a very difficult number.

“It is probable that I leave this world without having seen that they surpass me. The personal inner feeling of winning Roland Garros is very special.”

Nadal, who also discussed the comparisons between soccer stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo with him and Federer earlier this week, did not think he would still be playing at this age.

The veteran knows time is beginning to work against him in terms of his tennis career but insisted to AS and Marca his personal happiness will always be the priority, having been married earlier this year.

He added: “To be honest, at this stage of my life I didn’t think I’d still be playing tennis. I was told because of my style I wouldn’t have a very long career. I believed what I was told, so I thought that by now I’d be retired and starting a family.

“I’ve always thought it’s best to have kids when you have a more stable way of life than I’ve had during my playing years. But time is moving on and anything can happen.

“Your personal life is much more important than your sporting one and your personal life, god willing, is much longer than your sporting one. It’s more important to be a person than a sportsperson.”

Nadal is constantly asked about breaking Federer’s Slam record, with Novak Djokovic also right in the mix as the trio battle it out to finish their careers on top.

While he would be thrilled to go top of the list, which could happen as early as 2020, he stressed it will not be what drives him.

"Rafael Nadal said: “I would like to end up as the one with the most titles, but it is not an obsession. It would be a dream but healthy ambition is good, excessive is bad, like everything else in life, because it can cause frustration, envy and unhappiness.“I tried to make my way to give me options to compete as long as possible. If they end up with more titles it will be because they will have been better. When you do everything you can, you are not obliged to do more.“I am super happy to be in this situation and I hope I can continue giving myself options to get important things. For me, it’s a great honour to be in this group.”"

After winning the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, in-form Rafael Nadal will be back in action when he leads Spain in the ATP Cup.

The Australian Open, which he has won just once in comparison to the French Open domination, will come next, and he will be the top competition to defending champion Novak Djokovic.