Rafael Nadal is a gifted person who was "destined" to break all the records that have been and will be in tennis, says Feliciano Lopez

Rafael Nadal is "destined" to break every record in tennis history, believes compatriot Feliciano Lopez, who hailed the Spanish great as a "one in a million."

Lopez, who is set to retire this year with a final hurrah in front of tennis fans across the world after 26 long years on the tour, spoke to Marca in a recent interview. During the conversation, he touched on Nadal and his generation of Spanish tennis players.

Led by the 22-time Grand Slam champion, the 41-year-old declared that his was the "best generation" his country had ever produced. He also added that players both before and after the Mallorcan have helped Spain dominate the world of tennis.

"Rafa is one in a million. He is a gifted person who was destined to break all the records that have been and will be in the world of tennis. When you have a generation led by Rafa it is super easy to call it the best generation," Lopez said.

"Before and behind him there have been good players and, above all, different ones."

Feliciano Lopez believes that Carlos Moya reaching the final of the Australian Open in 1997 kickstarted the rise. He feels Nadal helped cement that transformation through his mental toughness.

Lopez also reckons his generation of Spaniards were the first to show the world that they were capable of being world-beaters on any surface, something that was not prevalent before.

"The change comes when Carlos [Moyá] makes the final at the Australian Open," Lopez explained.

"Spanish tennis players are beginning to believe that they can play well on surfaces other than clay. Nadal has put the culmination of this change of mentality. The success of our generation has been to play on all courts and not be afraid to beat anyone."

Rafael Nadal, along with Novak Djokovic, currently holds the all-time men's record for most Grand Slam titles (22). He has also won the most titles at a single Major, winning 14 championships at the French Open.

Nadal is among only two men ever (the other being Andre Agassi) to have completed the Career Golden Slam, winning all four Majors and the Olympic gold. The 36-year-old has also spent the last 18 straight years in the top 10 of the ATP rankings.

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"The figures that Nadal, Federer and Djokovic manage, and the level at which they have put tennis, will mark an era" - Feliciano Lopez

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Feliciano Lopez holds the men's all-time record for the most consecutive Grand Slam appearances, racking up 79 straight appearances in Majors between 2002 and 2022.

Lopez admitted that it was a record that will be near impossible for anyone to beat in the future. However, he did not believe it should be celebrated as highly as the Big-3's record of 20+ Grand Slam titles.

Lopez hailed Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic for marking an era of tennis with their incredible level. He added that he doesn't see anyone replicating their success in the years to come either.

"It is clear that my record is difficult or almost impossible for someone to beat it. It's 20 years without fail. But it cannot be put at the height of the 22 titles. The figures that Nadal, Federer and Djokovic manage, and the level at which they have put tennis, will mark an era," Lopez said.

"I don't see anyone in the future who can achieve the records of these three players. It is that they are not only the 'Grand Slam', it is everything else. It is outrageous and that is why it seems to me out of the reach of any tennis player who comes in the future."