Rafael Nadal wants to keep all-time Grand Slam record but believes 21 'is not enough'

Spaniard moved ahead of Federer and Djokovic after winning the Australian Open on Sunday

Rafael Nadal after beating Daniil Medvedev in the Australian Open final at Melbourne Park on Sunday, January 30. AP

Rafael Nadal kisses the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup after beating Daniil Medvedev. EPA

Rafael Nadal in front of photographers after his victory. AFP

Winner Rafael Nadal alongside runnner-up Daniil Medvedev. Getty

Rafael Nadal defeated Daniil Medvedev in a five-set epic at Melbourne Park for his record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title. EPA

Rafael Nadal celebrates after beating Daniil Medvedev Reuters

Rafael Nadal after clinching match point against Daniil Medvedev. Getty

Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates after beating Daniil Medvedev of Russia. Reuters

Rafael Nadal after beating Daniil Medvedev. Getty

Rafael Nadal after beating Daniil Medvedev. AP

Rafael Nadal with Daniil Medvedev after the Spaniard clinched victory. Reuters

Daniil Medvedev during the final. Reuters

Rafael Nadal hits a return against Daniil Medvedev. AFP

Daniil Medvedev after winning the second set. AP

Rafael Nadal celebrates winning the fourth set. Reuters

Daniil Medvedev plays a shot during the final. EPA

Rafael Nadal celebrates winning a point. EPA

Rod Laver Arena during the final between Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev. AFP

Rafael Nadal plays a backhand return. AP

Daniil Medvedev after winning a point. Getty

Rafael Nadal plays a shot at Melbourne Park. EPA

A frustrated Rafael Nadal after losing a point to Daniil Medvedev. AP

Daniil Medvedev and Rafael in action during the final. Reuters

An unhappy Daniil Medvedev talks to chair umpire John Blom. Reuters

Rafael Nadal has said he would like to finish his career as the most decorated male Grand Slam champion in history but believes he will need more than the 21 titles he has won so far.

Nadal, 35, moved ahead of long-time rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic by winning the Australian Open title on Sunday, fighting back in remarkable style to defeat world No 2 Daniil Medvedev in five sets.

The Spaniard will now turn his focus to major title No 22 at the French Open, where he is by a distance the tournament's most successful player with 13 trophies.

"I have no idea what number of Grand Slams I will have," Nadal told reporters at his academy in Mallorca on Wednesday.

"I want to be the one with the most majors out of the three of us, I would love that, but I'm not obsessed, absolutely not. Whatever comes is welcome and I don't think 21 is enough to be honest. But you never know what will happen in the future."

World No 1 Djokovic did not feature at the Australian Open after being deported from the country due to his Covid-19 vaccination status, while Federer was ruled out following a third knee surgery last year.

Nadal, who missed much of last season due to a niggling foot injury, added that it still hurts when he plays but his game was a higher level now.

"This (win) has given me a huge boost of confidence to move forward," he said. "I have been able to enjoy the highest level of sport again, something that was very difficult to imagine a few weeks ago."

Rafael Nadal's 21 Grand Slam titles