Spaniard Rafael Nadal believes world number one Roger Federer can beat him anytime on any surface despite the French Open champion's stranglehold over the Swiss on clay.
Nadal, who will turn 20 during Roland Garros, has won five of his six meetings against Federer.
He beat him in last year's Paris semi-finals and appears to be the only player able to trouble the Swiss.
"The press always tell me 'now Roger is getting closer'. But Roger is the number one. I'm the one who needs to get close, no?," Nadal told a news conference on Friday.
"Every time he had his chance. Last year, here in the semi-finals, we were one set all, 4-4 maybe. This year in Monte Carlo, in the tie-break he leads 4-1 or 4-2, 5-3. In Rome, he was leading 4-1."
The last match between the top two players in the world was the closest yet with Nadal saving two match points in the decider to emerge as the Rome Masters Series winner after a five-set battle.
"Every match is very tough. In Rome he was really close. I can lose every match against him," he said.
"I know he's the number one, he's the best. He can beat me on every surface, any match."
Nadal, who will start his tournament on Monday against Swede Robin Soderling, added he was flattered to have equalled Guillermo Vilas's record of 53 consecutive wins on clay.
"Having the same number of consecutive victories than Vilas is unbelievable," he said.
"I need one more match and I'm going to try my best, not to beat the record but to win Roland Garros."
