First time US Open champion Rafael Nadal believes the key to him winning nine Grand Slam titles in a little over five years has been his powerhouse shots.

Asked what does he think when he is playing against his rivals, including Federer, ABC News quotes Nadal as saying: "Nothing! Try to put the ball inside. The important thing is the shots. It's easier to be a great champion with a lot of shots and nothing of head than a lot of head and nothing of shots."

He says that while he would love to triumph over his chief rival Roger Federer [ Images ] very time they meet on court, he sees Federer more as a role model than an enemy.

"I think to have Roger there was always a reference to improve, and a big motivation to be a better player because you always see a better player than you there," the 24-year-old Spaniard said of Federer, 27, of Switzerland [ Images ].

Nadal still thinks Federer is a better player and the man to beat. "I am not still thinking. I am sure," he said.

Nadal and Federer are the only pair of men to have ever finished five consecutive calendar years as the top two ranked players