LONDON: Rafael Nadal played down his chances of matching Roger Federer's Grand Slam haul here Sunday, saying the likelihood of reaching his rival's record of 16 titles remained “a dream.” After adding four more Grand Slam titles in the past year the 25-year-old Spanish world No. 1 now has 10 to his name and will be targeting an 11th at Wimbledon over the next fortnight. Victory at the All England Club would see Nadal move alongside Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver in the all-time standings, one behind Roy Emerson on 12, three behind Pete Sampras (14) and five behind Federer. But Nadal dismissed suggestions that Federer's record was in his sights here Sunday, saying he was “very far” from the Swiss master's benchmark. “I am not close to the 16 of Roger,” Nadal said. “Sixteen is a lot. We can dream about a lot of things. For me it's a dream. Maybe not for you.” Reigning champion Nadal — who opens the defense of his title with a first round match against American Michael Russell on Center Court here Monday — enjoyed a stellar 2010, scooping the French, Wimbledon and US Open crowns. But although Nadal defended his French crown at Roland Garros earlier this month, he doubted whether he would be able to emulate his feats of last season. “Last year was in my opinion very impossible to repeat — three Grand Slams in a row,” Nadal said. “I am very happy about what's going on this season. But I don't think I will repeat what I did last year for sure.” Federer wary of threats Roger Federer can picture himself lifting a record-equalling seventh Wimbledon title, but can also sense the dangers posed by Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. Federer was stunned by the Czech Republic's Tomas Berdych in the quarterfinals last year, as his attempt to match Pete Sampras' record of seven titles was shattered. It was his earliest exit at the All England Club since his first round loss to Mario Ancic in 2002. But the 29-year-old Swiss has been buoyed by his unexpected run to the French Open final, where he came up short against Nadal, after ending Novak Djokovic's 43-match winning streak in the semifinals. But clouding that view is defending champion Nadal, who beat Federer to win a sixth French Open two weeks ago, as well as Australian Open champion Djokovic and Queen's winner Murray, bidding to end Britain's 75-year wait for a men's champion. Nadal is almost five years younger than Federer who, at 29, will be acutely aware that Sampras' seventh and last Wimbledon triumph in 2000 came two months before he reached the same age. Djokovic, who is poised to depose Nadal as world No. 1, has yet to make a Wimbledon final, losing in the 2010 semifinal to Berdych in straight sets and to Nadal, also in the last four, in 2007.
