Nadal can beat Federer title record: Andy Murray

Spain's world number one Rafael Nadal has what it takes to surpass Roger Federer's record win of 16 major singles titles, Britain's Andy Murray said today in an interview published in Spain.

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Spain's world number one Rafael Nadal has what it takes to surpass Roger Federer's record win of 16 major singles titles, Britain's Andy Murray said on Wednesday in an interview published in Spain.

"This season he has made a big step forward and can break any existing record. I think it depends more on his physique than on his tennis. If he remains healthy, as he was during the second half of 2010, he is on track to catch up to Roger Federer or anyone," he told sports daily Marca.

"It is difficult to say that Nadal is the best player of all time, but he is without a doubt amongst the two or three best players in history. He has won the four majors, the Davis Cup, the Olympic gold medal. And he is only 24."

Nadal has so far won nine major titles, seven fewer than Switzerland's Federer, who is five years older than the Spaniard.

Earlier this year Nadal became only the seventh man in history to complete a coveted career Grand Slam, winning the world's four main tennis tournaments -- the US, French and Australian Opens and Wimbledon.

The Spaniard cannot be passed in the standings for year-end world number one status, despite Federer making a mighty end-of-season run after winning his last two events in Stockholm and his home tournament in Basel.