Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal Rivalry Update: Federer Critical of Rafa's Reliance on Clay for 14 Grand Slams? [VIDEO]

If you can't beat him, question him.

According to USA TODAY Sports' For the Win, Roger Federer sounded irritated that Rafael Nadal is so close to his record of 17 Grand Slams - Nadal has 14. It's not that Federer is mad that Nadal is close, it's how Nadal got to be so close that has the Swiss star upset.

Surpassing Pete Sampras, not Roger Federer, is Rafael Nadal's focus

For the Win posted a tweet from Tennis Reporters' Matt Cronin, who quoted Federer on Nadal's prospects of catching his Grand Slam record.

Federer (17 Slams) on Nadal (14): 'If he wins French Open few more times & I don't win anymore then clearly he can catch me very quickly'— Matt Cronin (@TennisReporters) March 10, 2015

"This quote is delightfully classic Federer," For the Win reported. "He clearly doesn't want to relinquish the Grand Slam crown to Nadal, who tied Pete Sampras for No. 2 on the list after his French Open win last year. Yet he makes it seems as if winning a Grand Slam of his own is a mere annoyance, like he can flip a switch and just get No. 18 (which he's been waiting on for 10 majors and counting).

Rafael Nadal falls three clay-court wins behind retired Guillermo Vilas

"But the clear highlight is the dig about the French Opens. It's the height of Federer's subtle passive-aggressiveness. That quote is basically a shot at Nadal: 'He only wins French Opens,' Federer seems to be saying. And that's been true for a number of years. Nadal has one victory in his last nine Slams off the clay. He's 66-1 at Roland Garros with nine titles. And Federer knows it better than anyone, hence his refusal to admit that Nadal could get a victory in Melbourne, London or New York."

Nadal is looking for his 10^th French Open championship in May, meaning he has a total of five Grand Slam championships away from Roland Garros. But how many slams come on one surface never was an issue before.

The fact that arguably the greatest clay-court player of all time was capable of winning other titles shows Nadal's versatility. He could've been on his way to the 2014 Australian Open title when he suffered a back injury during his four-set loss to Stan Wawrinka.

It's Nadal's health, not his prowess on clay, that Federer should fear. Or like Federer says, he himself can just add to his Grand Slam total of 17. After all, Federer did have golden opportunities at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open last year.

Do you think Rafael Nadal's record should be asterisked if he surpasses Roger Federer's record of 17 Grand Slam titles? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.