Rafael Nadal has admitted he 'doesn't like to say' whether Andy Murray has deserved more success in his career ahead of the Briton's expected retirement later this year.
Murray has won three Grand Slams so far but has struggled to scale those heights in recent years due to his ongoing injury issues.
And there's always been a sense the former world No 1 would have more majors if he was playing in a different era.
As well as Nadal, Murray has had to compete against icons such as Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
Rafael Nadal has lavished praise on Andy Murray with both tennis icons expected to retire this year
ITALIANOPEN
Nadal, speaking at the Italian Open, has now opened up on the Briton.
He admitted he 'doesn't like to' speak about what Murray could have achieved had he been playing at a different time.
But the Spaniard made it clear he was full of respect for everything Murray has achieved, insisting he's a modern-day great.
"I don't like to say he deserved more or less, because at the end it's just like, if I say I deserve more, if I didn't have injuries," he said.
"No, I don't, because I had the injuries.
"He had a lot of finals. He was an amazing player that probably played in a difficult moment of the history of tennis, because, he shared the tour at the prime time of Novak, Roger and myself.
"And he was, in my feeling, the one that he was at the same level than us, in general terms.
"Then, in terms of victories, it's true that he achieved less, but in terms of level of tennis, in terms of holding mentally, the winning spirit week after week... He was the only one that was very close to, to be at the same level as us."
As well as Murray, Nadal could bring the curtain down on his career this year.
The 37-year-old has long battled injury issues of his own, restricting his ability to win more majors in the process.
Nadal beat Zizou Bergs on Thursday in Italy as he prepares for the upcoming French Open.
And the 22-time Grand Slam winner is dreaming of playing at Roland-Garros one last time, having dominated the competition over the years.
"I have Roland-Garros in just two weeks and a half," he said.
"So the moment arrived that I need to prove myself if I am able to push my body to the limit, that I need to push to feel myself ready for what's coming.
"I'm not talking about only about Roland-Garros, I am talking about the next matches.
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Andy Murray is hoping to compete at the French Open when the competition commences later this month
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"I need to lose this fear - matches like today help.
"Some moments I was moving faster, some moments not.
"I need to get used to taking that risk. But it's a moment to make that happen.
"And I feel more ready to try it than before."
As well as Nadal, Murray is set to play at the French Open when it commences on May 20.
Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray have both competed at the highest level for over 15 years
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He previously made the final of the competition in 2016.
However, Murray was unable to come out on top that year with Djokovic reigning supreme instead.
