Rafael Nadal says he doesn’t like to define himself as one of the all-time greats of the sport and instead is more concerned about creating good memories for those around him.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion is one of the most decorated players in the history of tennis with 92 Tour titles to his name. He has won more ATP trophies on the clay (63) than anybody else and is a 14-time French Open champion. He has also beaten a world No.1 player a record 23 times and is the oldest man to have completed a career Grand Slam twice.
Nadal is currently in South America where he is taking part in an exhibition Tour alongside Casper Ruud. During his press conference in the Ecuadorian capital of Quinto, the world No.2 was questioned about his legacy in the sport and if he defines himself as the best in history.
“I don’t think about it. I think it’s something that goes to the background,” he replied.
“The important legacy is that all the people I have lived with during these 20 years of my career have a good human memory of me. After all, the personal issue, education, respect and affection with which you can treat people is above the professional issue, because it is what remains in time,” he added.
The 36-year-old missed out on finishing the season as world No.1 for the sixth time in his career. Ahead of him is rising star Carlos Alcaraz who has staged a meteoric rise where he has won two Masters 1000 events before claiming his first major title at the US Open in September. It is the first time in ATP history that the year-end top two are both Spanish players.
However, Nadal admits he is not confident the duo will be able to maintain their stronghold at the top in the new season.
“I don’t think it’s going to be a trend. It’s difficult to maintain such a high level. I play very few events at this point, so it’s difficult to maintain a very high ranking because you have to be very successful in the events where you compete,” said Nadal.
“Carlos has incredible potential and that is why he is where he is, because he deserves it, and he is also very young and has a lot ahead of him. Casper was very close to being number one in the world and winning his first Grand Slam at the US Open.” He added.
On the court, Nadal was unable to keep his winning run against Ruud after losing 6-4, 6-4, to the Norwegian on Sunday evening at the Coliseo General Rumiñahui Arena in Quito. The two will next travel to Bogota in Colombia before ending their Tour in Mexico City.
