Rafael Nadal coy over Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic messages

Rafael Nadal has claimed he is "lucky" to be part of the greatest era in tennis after setting a new male Grand Slam record of 21 singles titles. The Spanish superstar received messages of congratulations from his great rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic following his Australian Open triumph.

The 35-year-old beat Daniil Medvevev in a late-night, five-set classic in Melbourne Park.

Nadal, 35, today went to victor's photoshoot in the gardens of the grandiose Government House in Melbourne.

Asked how his body felt after a five hour and 24 minute classic, he smiled and admitted: "Not very good."

He bent to the ground very slowly when he posed alongside the Norman Brooks Challenge Cup.

But Nadal, who had shared the record of 20 titles with the Swiss and the Serb, insisted his sport is in better shape after years of rivalry between the Big Three.

"We are always very respectful of each other," he said. "I think we treat this rivalry in a positive way throughout our careers. Have I had a personal message from Novak or Roger? I have received plenty of messages.

"I am sorry I have not been able yet to reply to every one, you can imagine.

"But I really feel very proud about the way that we managed our rivalry during all our careers.

"At the end of the day it's just a game, and in some way we achieved more than what we ever dreamed when we were kids, so at the end, it's not the fact that one has 21 and the others have 20.

"Or one has 23 and the others have 21. We have done great things for our sport and we have achieved our dreams, and we enjoy it, no. And I feel lucky to be part of this era, that has been very special."

Nadal had won the Australian Open in 2009 but had lost four finals since, including five-setters to Djokovic