Roger Federer says he 'would have won same number of slams even if Nadal, Djokovic were not around'

Former world number one Roger Federer has refuted suggestions that he would have won more Grand Slams, if Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic had not been around and claimed that he would have the same number of slams with or without them.

Todd Woodbridge, former Australian tennis player, had revealed last week that in his opinion Federer would have had 20 Grand Slam titles to his name if not for Nadal, while also calling the Swiss the best player of all time.

The 35-year-old, who currently has won 17 Grand Slam titles, believes that such a statement is not true and that he would have the same number of major titles to his name irrespective of the opposition.

"I think if they (Nadal and Djokovic) hadn't been around, there would have been someone else. Or maybe without them I'd wouldn't have the same motivation and the same career. I don't know how to explain it, but I think I would have the same number of Slams, with or without them," said Federer, as quoted by Tennis World.

The Swiss legend has not competed in an event since his semi-final loss at the 2016 Wimbledon Championships – due to a knee injury – recently confirmed that he would return earlier-than-expected and will be participating in the International Premier Tennis League (ITPL) scheduled to start on 2 December.

"It remains to be seen under what condition I will return, since I haven't played since last Wimbledon, but I'm very excited to get back on the court. I have trained well, and I think it's time to play matches again," Federer said.

He is currently ranked 16<sup>th in the ATP Men's Tennis rankings with the list headed by Great Britain's Andy Murray who is the first person from England to top the list since 1973.