Whatever Nadal’s future holds, his legacy is secure

Rafael Nadal showed once again his clay court brilliance in winning the French Open — his 14th title and 22nd Grand Slam win — despite a chronic left foot injury that may sideline him from Wimbledon in a few weeks.

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June 6, 2022 - 1:03 PM

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates with the trophy after winning against Casper Ruud of Norway during the Men's Singles Final match on Day 15 of The 2022 French Open at Roland Garros on June 05, 2022, in Paris, France. Photo by (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images/TNS)

PARIS (AP) — Rafael Nadal’s status for Wimbledon is in doubt because of a chronic problem with his left foot — as is his future in tennis. What’s secure, no matter what happens now, is his legacy.

Nadal got through the French Open, he explained after a dominating 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 victory over Casper Ruud in Sunday’s final earned a 14th championship at Roland Garros and 22nd Grand Slam title overall, thanks to the help of a series of numbing injections in his foot.

That, he says, was a one-time deal.

“I don’t want to put myself in that position again,” Nadal said after becoming, at age 36, the oldest champion in the history of a clay-court tournament that was first held in 1925. “Can happen once. But no, it’s not a philosophy of life that I want to follow.”

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