Rafael Nadal speaks out on breaking John McEnroe record in Madrid

Rafael Nadal secured another piece of history at the Madrid Open, as he put Diego Schwartzman to the sword.

The world No. 1 won his 21st match in a row on clay without the loss of a set, taking his run of consecutive sets to 50.

In doing so, he passed John McEnroes previous Open Era record of sets won on any surface (49 – carpet), adding yet another remarkable achievement to an already glittering career.

Though Nadal is keen to remain focused on the task ahead – he meets Dominic Thiem in the quarter-final – he did admit that he will love to look back at achievements like this once his playing days are over.

Im in the quarterfinals in Madrid, he said after the 6-3 6-4 win. Thats where I am right now.

Im happy to have made it to the quarterfinals. These moments I dont go out there and think about these kind of things. I just think about my opponent, what I have to do to keep on going. Thats all.

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When my career is over, these are things that are going to be there for always. They are big records. Its difficult to be able to win 50 sets in a row. But Ive done it.

Well, its done. Its over. Lets not talk about that any more and lets continue on what we have ahead which is what I am concerned about.

When asked if there were any records he considered to be particularly special, he answered: Im not going to think now which records do I have because I dont remember.

But when you achieve things that are unique, its always special. Yeah, there are some records that make me happy, that excite me.

I think I was, I dont know, during X years the player that managed to win more Grand Slams in a row, winning Roland Garros for how many years. There are just things that are special. They mean you have been able to maintain a level for a lot of years, a level of consistency mentally and tennis-wise.

But there are other things, I look at them day after day. Things happen, of course. Of course, I like them. Its not that I dont look at todays record. Its a record that when Im 31 years old, we know how difficult it is to achieve it.

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