Even if he doesn't win another tournament, Rafael Nadal will leave a lasting legacy for the tennis world. But it's not the one he cares about.
Tennis.com reported on an interview the 14-time Grand Slam champion conducted with La Nacion, in which he was asked about his legacy, and the 28-year-old gave an interesting answer.
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"What you have done is very good, but when you go somewhere, you will be treated well from the legacy you have left, and legacy is not titles raised, but the friends I have left on the circuit, how well you behaved with the people of the world," Nadal told La Nacion. "And I hope that I, over the years, have been caring. I think so, and wherever I go, people appreciate me, both tournament organizers, as the people of the circuit with whom I hope to stay connected."
The Spaniard just tied Guillermo Vilas for the most clay court titles of all time when he won the Argentina Open last week. He is three Grand Slams away from matching Roger Federer's all-time record.
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But Nadal also is trying to navigate through a career that has been riddled with injuries, several of which cost him the No. 1 ranking in 2014. He has said he intends to cut back on his tournaments in an attempt to lengthen his career, but he also talked, at least to La Nacion, as a man who has contemplated life after tennis.
How many more injuries Nadal will endure before contemplating retirement is become more of an issue as he gets older.
He has a longtime girlfriend Maria Francesca Perello, tennis.com reported, and is eagerly anticipating a family life.
"I am quite a family person, my education has been towards family. You never know what will happen in the future, but I understand that I will form a family, have kids, I do not know how much. I love children, but one does not decide unilaterally, it takes two. I would like to have more children, but I cannot say whether two, three or four."
Friends and family, he says, are what constitutes a triumphant career.
"The real success is having friends, having a family, caring for them and feel loved by the people - the public is very important, but what is more feel loved by those who are around you," he said.
How much longer do you think Rafael Nadal will continue to play tennis? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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