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A32 sports
Diamars 7 Juni 2022

Analysis: Whatever Nadal's future holds, his legacy's secure

By HOWARD FEN- Because of all of the way he
DRICH has lorded over the French
AP Tennis Writer Open and red clay, yes. And,
PARIS (AP) — Rafael sure, because of the career
Nadal's status for Wimble- Grand Slam he owns and, for
don is in doubt because of a now at least, the lead in the
chronic problem with his left men's major trophy count.
foot — as is his future in ten- Don't forget the Olympic
nis. What's secure, no mat- medals and the time spent at
ter what happens now, is his No. 1 in the rankings, either.
legacy. But it's not just all of the
Nadal got through the numbers. There's also this:
French Open, he explained Nadal never seems to take a
after a dominating 6-3, 6-3, point off, never seems to let
6-0 victory over Casper Ruud an on-court situation daunt
in Sunday's final earned a him, never gives in or gives
14th championship at Roland up.
Garros and 22nd Grand Slam "He stepped up, and he
title overall, thanks to the showed that when he needs
help of a series of numbing to, he plays great," said Ruud,
injections in his foot. who appeared to be every bit
That, he says, was a one-time as overwhelmed by the situa-
deal. tion and setting as by his op-
"I don't want to put myself ponent.
in that position again," Nadal "He's a player I have watched
said after becoming, at age 36, on TV for the last 16, 17 years.
the oldest champion in the So to be there myself and face
history of a clay-court tour- him, it's a bit of a challenge,
nament that was first held in as well, but a very enjoyable
1925. "Can happen once. But one," Ruud said after his de-
no, it's not a philosophy of but in a Grand Slam final at
life that I want to follow." age 23. "Yeah, of course, I
And he allowed a little in- wish I could make the match
sight into what does make closer and all these things,
him tick. but at the end of the day, I
It's not, he said, as he's said nis. And I like the competi- won twice begins three weeks of my life, but never has been can hopefully one day tell my
before, an all-consuming de- tion," Nadal said. from Monday, he'll only do a priority over my happiness grandkids that I played Rafa
sire to finish with more ma- "What drives me to keep go- so if his body permits. (in) life. So things are going on Chatrier in the final, and
jor trophies than the other ing is the passion for the Nadal, who brought a doctor to keep going that way," he they will probably say, 'Wow,
members of the so-called Big game, to live moments that with him to Paris, is going to said. "If I am still able to be did you?'"
Three of men's tennis, Roger stay inside me forever," he spend the next week trying happy playing tennis with the Whatever might come next
Federer and Novak Djokov- added, "and play in front of new treatments, hoping to things that I have, I'm going for Nadal, he needs to figure
ic. (Nadal currently stands the best crowds in the world find a way to ease the pain in to keep going. If I am not out what's best for him, his
two ahead of his rivals, who and the best stadiums." his foot. able, I'm going to do other foot, his happiness.
both are at 20.) So while he wants to be able If that doesn't work, he will stuff." If he decides there's no fix for
"It's not about being the best to keep going, and would ap- need to contemplate having Either way, Nadal's place in the pain that wouldn't come
of the history. It's not about preciate the chance to play at surgery. the history of tennis — and, at too great a cost, he'll move
the records. It's about: I like the All England Club, where "Of course, my tennis career indeed, the history of sports on. His imprint on the sport
what I do. I like to play ten- the grass-court Slam he has has been a priority during all — is solidified. will remain.

Jack Nicklaus to become honorary citizen of St. Andrews

By DOUG FERGUSON munity Council, which is the I could turn that down, not
AP Golf Writer equivalent of the "Freedom with Bobby Jones and Benja-
DUBLIN, Ohio (AP) — of the City" honor given to min Franklin the only other
Jack Nicklaus is returning Jones. two Americans who have
to St. Andrews to become an Nicklaus retired from com- done it. So, I'm going back."
honorary citizen. petitive golf with that final The ceremony will be on
Nicklaus won two of his appearance at St. Andrews, Tuesday, July 12. Nicklaus
three British Open titles at his 164th major. He won a said he would not be tak-
St. Andrews, and he chose record 18 of them, including ing part in the "Champions
the Old Course in 2005 to three at golf's oldest cham- Challenge" on Monday of
play his final major champi- pionship. He missed the cut Open week, which brings
onship. but finished with a birdie as together past champions for
He already has received an thousands crammed into bal- a four-hole exhibition on the
honorary doctorate degree conies and peered through first, second, 17th and 18th
from the University of St An- windows from hotels over- holes of the Old Course.
drews, and now he joins truly looking the Old Course. "I'm not going to play any
exclusive company. The only Nicklaus said he left with golf," Nicklaus said. "I'm not
other Americans to be award- great memories in 2005 and even going to take my clubs."
ed honorary citizenship in St. had no plans to return. St Andrews also will confer
Andrews are Bobby Jones in "And then they wrote and honorary doctorate degrees
1958 and Benjamin Franklin asked me if I would accept to golf greats Lee Trevino,
in 1759. being an honorary citizen," Sandy Lyle, Jose Maria Olaz-
The honor for Nicklaus Nicklaus said at the Memori- abal, Bob Charles and Catri-
was conferred by the Royal al. "I couldn't turn that down. ona Matthew.
Burgh of St. Andrews Com- There's no way in the world