On the verge of breaking the claycourt title record, Rafael Nadal gets endorsement of Guillermo Vilas

Rafael Nadal (L) with Guillermo Vilas

Paris, May 5 (IANS) Argentine tennis great Guillermo Vilas has said he would not mind if Spanish star Rafael Nadal this week breaks his record of 49 titles won on clay, because it will be a well-deserved victory.

Nadal, who won the tournaments in Monte Carlo and Barcelona last month, will try this week to reach his 50th title in Madrid on clay, surpassing 63-year-old Vilas, reports Efe.

The Argentine said in an interview with French newspaper L'Equipe on Wednesday that he, like all other players, struggled hard and achieved a record, but he would not be angry if anyone breaks it.

As a player, Vilas won four Grand Slams and was ranked second in the world in 1957.

Overall, he won 62 singles titles, including 49 on clay.