Nadal ended Federer’s hopes of a 21st title by beating him in the semi-finals on Friday.
And the Spaniard went on to win his 12th French Open after seeing off Dominic Thiem 6-3 5-7 6-1 6-1 in the final.
In the race to be the all-time Grand Slam title leader, Nadal is now two behind Federer, who hasn’t won a Major since January 2018 in Australia.
While Novak Djokovic is third on 15, five behind Federer.
FRENCH OPEN – MEN’S SINGLES RESULTS IN FULL
Speaking to the media post-match, Nadal was asked about his chances of surpassing Federer, especially given his dominance at Roland Garros.
“Of course we push each other,” Nadal said.
“But I lost, I think, around 15 or even more Grand Slams in my career for injuries. So have been – is difficult.
“But being honest, I never complain myself much, and I never tried to think about, Well, I gonna catch Roger or not. Being honest, I am not very worried about this stuff, no?
“You can’t be frustrated all the time because the neighbour has a bigger house than you or a bigger TV or better garden. That’s not the way that I see the life, you know.
“And I just try to do my way. I feel very lucky about all the things that are happening to me. And if, at the end of my career, I am able to win a couple of more Grand Slams and be closer to Roger, will be unbelievable. If not, for me, still unbelievable, no?
“And today, the last thing that I thought before you ask me that is about this thing. For me, Roland Garros, feel myself enjoying again on court. That’s the main thing, no?
“Then what can happen in the future, we will see. I gonna try my best to keep enjoying tennis, giving myself chances to compete at the highest level, and we will see what’s going on.
“It’s a motivation, but it’s not my obsession. If you ask me whether I would like it, of course.
“If that’s a goal in my career, no. It’s not what makes me get up every morning or go and train and play. It’s not the way in which I view the sport, and it’s not the way in which I consider my sports career.
“I want to follow my own journey, give myself the best opportunities, and give myself the possibility of competing at the highest level. And if I end up in a position like that of today where I’m the one who won most Roland Garros in history, well, all very well.
“But I don’t think my future will be worth any more if I equal Federer’s record or if I do something like Djokovic or whatever. I consider that I’m going much further than I dreamt about in my career.”
ALL-TIME GRAND SLAM TITLES
Roger Federer – 20
Rafael Nadal – 18
Novak Djokovic – 15
Pete Sampras – 14
Roy Emerson – 12
Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg – 11
Bill Tilden – 10
Fred Perry, Ken Rosewall, Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl, Andre Agassi – 8