Will Nadal catch Federer? (Picture: Getty)

Rafael Nadal’s coach and uncle Toni is confident his nephew will catch Roger Federer’s haul of 19 Grand Slam titles after winning a third US Open on Sunday.

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The world No. 1 secured his first title on a hard court since 2014 and lifted a 10th French Open crown in what’s been a brilliant year for the Spaniard as he returned to the top of the ATP rankings.

Federer has enjoyed plenty of success himself, too. The Swiss won both the Australian Open and Wimbledon to move onto a total of 19 major titles – a feat unmatched by any other male to play the game.

Uncle Toni has faith in his nephew (Picture: Getty)

Will Federer be caught? (Picture: Getty)

In the aftermath of Nadal’s US Open victory, the focus switched to whether he could overtake Federer at the top of the Grand Slam leaderboard, with legendary stars Mats Wilander and Jim Courier both suggesting he would topple the 36-year-old as the GOAT.




And Uncle Toni – who will step down as Nadal’s head coach at the end of the year – has now backed his nephew to surpass Federer’s total of 19.

‘We will get to Federer’s 19, yes,’ he told Spanish radio station Cope.

Most Grand Slam titles 19 – Federer

16 – Nadal

14 – Sampras

12 – Djokovic

12 – Emerson

‘I think it will happen. It’s difficult, but there is some more Roland Garros and I am confident other titles will come.

‘When he was 12, 13 or 14, you never think he will get to this level.

‘I am very happy to see my nephew lift so many trophies, knowing that he has achieved another piece of history.

‘He has won a hard-court tournament for the first time since 2014. We are very happy that he has won another Grand Slam, his 16th, and is in a position to fight for No. 1.

‘It was unimaginable that would happen, of course. But I had faith that Rafael would win one more Grand Slam, I tell you truthfully.’

MORE: Uncle Toni admits Rafael Nadal’s US Open win is not special after avoiding Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray