What is a legacy? Rafael Nadal recalls Roger Federer memory in speech to tennis academy graduates

What is a legacy? Rafael Nadal invoked a conversation he once had with Roger Federer to try an answer that question this week, in a commencement speech to graduates of his eponymous tennis academy.

After Federer invoked losing to Nadal in the 2008 Wimbledon final to co-eds in a memorable address at Darmouth University's commencement las week, Nadal picked a much more recent memory: one that came to mind when the pair braved snowy weather in the Italian Dolomites to film a spring advertisement for Louis Vuitton.

"There in the mountains, we had a very interesting conversation about a word that I think is very important: legacy,” Nadal said in Spanish. “Both Roger and I agree on something we believe is of the utmost importance. How would we like to be remembered in a few years? How do we want the future generations to think of us?

"We are both very sure of our answers. It’s great that our achievements, our titles and our records are recognised, but as the years go by it is probable that someone will arrive and do something better. What is important, then, is that which will always be remembered.

"Therefore, both Roger and I agree that we would like to be remembered as good people. We live in a society that highlights the what and the now above all else. But I would like to highlight the importance of the how."

While not every graduate of Nadal's tennis academy will reach the dizzying heights that he and Federer did, Nadal nonetheless drew parallels between how they commiserated and what the future holds for the youngsters before him.

"When you are at university or on a tennis court, say to yourself occasionally, ‘How would I like my classmates to remember me? And my teachers? My friends?," he said. "I could tell you to try and be influencers in your surroundings, but I prefer the term leaders. The people around you should see you as someone who should be copied because of their values.”

Nadal wasn't the only former world No. 1 to share his wisdom with graduates. His coach, Carlos Moya, followed in Iga Swiatek's footsteps as this year's keynote speaker.

Like Nadal, Moya also stressed to the graduates that little things count the most.

“Days where you don’t feel like going to practice, going to the gym, studying. If you push yourself through those moments, these are the moments that are paying off," Moya said, per the ATP. "These are the moments that if you do it, it’s going to take you to the next level and help you grow in whatever you want to do. So pay attention to those moments.”