Former world No. 1 Andy Roddick called Rafael Nadal a legend after the Spaniard captured a record 14th French Open title. Just a week before the start of the French Open, Nadal was facing fitness concerns as some feared he might be forced to skip Roland Garros due to a chronic foot pain.
Not only that Nadal managed to play in Paris, he lifted a record 22nd Grand Slam title. “Foot and rib cage and Djokovic and Alcaraz notwithstanding, I cannot bring myself to pick anyone other than Rafael Nadal as the Roland Garros favorite.
One day he’ll retire, and at minimum 3 years after that, I might pick someone else,” Tennis Channel commentator Brett Haber tweeted on May 20. Two weeks later, after Nadal won a record 14th French Open title, Roddick responded to the Haber tweet: “Weird saying it, but this was actually a risky pick based on form and foot questions going on.
Weirder saying that someone has won a single grand slam event 14 times. Grande Rafael Nadal!! Legend.”
Weird saying it, but this was actually a risky pick based on form and foot questions going on. Weirder saying that someone has won a single grand slam event 14 times.
Grande @RafaelNadal !! Legend https://t.co/HbbDi9zP35 — andyroddick (@andyroddick) June 6, 2022
Nadal: Definitely an emotional victory
In the French Open final, Nadal saw off Casper Ruud 6-3 6-3 6-0. “For me having this trophy next to me again means everything.
[It] has been [an] emotional victory, without a doubt. Unexpected in some ways. [I am] very happy,” Nadal said in his post-match press conference. “[It] has been a great two weeks. I played from the beginning, improving every day.
Finishing [by] playing a good final. [I am] super happy and can’t thank everybody enough for the support since the first day that I arrived here. [It is] very emotional”. After the final, Nadal confirmed that he is absolutely not retiring from the game.
Also, Nadal stated that he would like to play Wimbledon. In the upcoming period, Nadal plans to address his chronic foot problem.
Source: Tennis World USA