Former two-time French Open finalist Alex Corretja pretty much thinks there is zero chances of Rafael Nadal pulling off an Andy Murray and becoming a coach shortly after retiring from pro tennis.
10 days ago, Novak Djokovic made a bombshell announcement when he revealed the newly retired Briton as his coach for the start of 2025 and the Australian Open. Previously, the former three-time Major winner ended saw his career officially come to an end on August 1st at the Paris Olympics.
After Murray, Nadal also put a curtain on his astonishing career two weeks at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga. Knowing how connected the Spaniard was to tennis – and that he basically retired only after coming to terms that his body couldn’t take it anymore – some instantly started speculating if he could do something similar as the British tennis legend did.
However, Corretja – a former Spanish world No. 2 and someone who has a good relationship with the former 22-time Grand Slam champion – doesn’t see it happening.
“In my opinion, I see it as impossible. 99.99% impossible. Because in this life you can’t say impossible. But I would be very, very surprised. I think he’s going to need time to realize what he really wants to do. It’s a bit different than Andy. I feel like Andy, even if he’s got four kids and he’s busy at home, maybe he’s got less things to do on a daily basis,” Corretja told Eurosport.
“But Rafa, he is living on his, you know, in Manacor, and he’s got his academy. I don’t really see him moving so much from there. I felt like Andy wanted to maybe feel the experience of still traveling, you know. Rafa, I don’t really see him as a coach or as a consultant for anyone. I might see him more like a consultant for, let’s say, Real Madrid. Something big, something that he could add to the team from time to time, can give them some speeches. I would see it for a short period of time. Three months or six months. But on a daily basis, I don’t really see it.”
Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz© Six Kings Slam/Instagram – Fair Use
What Nadal once said about the possibility of becoming a coach?
After holding that special press conference in 2023 May to reveal his plans to retire in 2024, the 38-year-old heard many speculations being thrown out about his future. To no one’s surprise, some wondered if there was any possibility of the former world No. 1 returning to the Tour as a tennis coach.
When asked about it, Nadal noted that he didn’t prefer to speak too much about his future and what may or may not happen. However, he didn’t close the door on the prospect of working with someone one day.
“They ask me things about the future that I cannot answer, nor say one thing or another. Because the future is often uncertain and I also don’t lose sight of the fact that I have an academy where players come and I like sports in general. I like tennis, so I can’t say that I’m not going to drink that water, that I’m not going to be a coach. I don’t see myself doing a complete calendar on the Tour, it’s practically impossible. Now, in a few weeks, being able to help someone or being able to spend some time with a player, well, why not tomorrow. Not today, but tomorrow who knows,” Nadal told Diario AS in 2023 September.
Mats Wilander thinks Nadal may be interested in working with Carlos Alcaraz
Anyone who follows tennis knows pretty well that Alcaraz grew up idolizing and looking up to the record 14-time French Open champion. And there is a mutual respect between the two as the Spanish tennis icon accepted to team up with the 21-year-old for men’s doubles at the Paris Olympics.
After Nadal’s career came to an end, former seven-time Grand Slam winner Wilander suggested that the 38-year-old may be intrigued by the prospect of working with the 2023 and 2024 Wimbledon champion.
“It is very possible that Nadal will return as a coach. I can even imagine him coaching Alcaraz. Although Carlos has one of the best now, Juan Carlos Ferrero, he lacks the ability to maintain the same intensity throughout a match,” the Swedish tennis legend told Eurosport.
Considering that the current world No. 3 has the biggest possible respect for Nadal, it is probably safe to say that there is no way he would pass up the potential opportunity to work with his idol.
It remains to be seen if a Nadal and Alcaraz partnership happens one day.
Tennis World USA