PARIS (AFP) - Rafael Nadal is capable of beating Roger Federer's record haul of 17 Grand Slams, former German No. 1 Boris Becker said today.

"If you'd asked me that a few years ago, I'd have said no. But, this year, he (Nadal) has returned to his top form and now has 13 titles to his credit," Becker added.

"He's 27 and doesn't intend to stop there. He's capable of getting more," he noted.

"Nadal is a great competitor. After all that happened to him last season (a

long lay-off with a left-knee injury), to return and have the success he's had

this year in becoming world No. 1 again, is almost a miracle."

Becker was talking about Nadal, whose titles include the French Open and US Open, at an event linked to the German's participation in the Doha Goals sports forum in Qatar in December.