Despite recent form, Rafael Nadal's legacy is still gold standard for tennis

After missing most of 2023 with an abdominal injury, Nadal sported a 5-3 record on clay going into Paris but failed to reach a quarterfinal round since returning to competition in January. But despite that recent form, his legacy will endure as the gold standard for generations to come.

Nadal's injuries may be the focus now but his longevity and lasting success give him a case as the greatest male player of all time.

Since turning pro in 2001 at age 14, Nadal has won 22 individual grand slam titles, 59 Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Big titles (both second all-time), two Olympic gold medals and two Davis Cup titles for Spain. Not to mention his domination on clay courts alone.

Nadal is one of two men to complete the so-called "Career Golden Slam," winning all four grand slam tournaments and an Olympic gold, and stands alone as the only male to win all four grand slam tournaments and Olympic gold in singles and doubles. He is also one of four men all-time to win all four grand slam tournaments twice.

His rivalries with Roger Federer (20 grand slam titles) and Novak Djokovic (24 grand slam titles), both also in the GOAT conversation, launched what was dubbed the "golden age" of tennis — a period from roughly 2008-22 when all but nine grand slam titles were won by one of the three players. Federer, 42, retired from tennis in 2022.

And even though Djokovic, 37, has two more grand slam titles than Nadal and potentially still counting, he only has a humble 4-4 record against him at grand slams. Nadal is also the only one of the three to have a statue erected at one of the four grand slam venues (Roland Garros).

Nadal's contributions off the court elevates his legacy even higher, founding the Rafa Nadal Academy in his home of Mallorca, Spain — which has already produced his potential successor in two-time grand slam champion and current No. 3-ranked Carlos Alcaraz. 

His charity, the Rafa Nadal Foundation, is internationally acclaimed and he even has his own brand with Nike akin to another GOAT, Michael Jordan.

Nadal's career will end, sooner probably than later, but when that happens tennis won't just lose a 'king,' it will also add a god to its pantheon.