Nadal Reveals If He Would Consider Going Into Coaching In Retirement
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Rafael Nadal was recently asked if he would consider becoming a coach now that his legendary tennis career is over.
Nadal played his final professional match at last month's Davis Cup Finals. Unfortunately for the Spaniard's home fans in Malaga, the 38-year-old lost in straight sets to a cool, calm, and composed Botic van de Zandschulp.
Wesley Koolhof and Botic van de Zandschulp's victory in the deciding doubles match meant Team Netherlands caused an upset by beating Spain in the quarterfinals, ending Nadal's career in the process.
What Nadal plans to do next is uncertain, but there have been some indications given by those around him. His uncle and former coach, Toni Nadal, hinted that he might become Real Madrid's Director of Football.
Nadal will likely put extra effort into his academy in Mallorca as well. That might be especially important after its facilities were damaged by severe flooding that hit Spain earlier this year.
The 14-time French Open champion was known as one of the smartest and most tactically astute players on the ATP Tour, being able to problem solve his way out of many challenging situations in matches.
That might make Nadal a superb coach. The former ATP world No. 1 could combine his strategic intelligence with his experience of playing on the most significant stages, meaning he can relate to what players are going through.
Some might think it is too soon for Nadal to go into coaching. However, Novak Djokovic hired former rival Andy Murray as his coach less than four months after he retired, meaning Nadal becoming a coach is not inconceivable.
The publication Arab News reported on Nadal discussing the issue. Although he did not rule out the possibility of becoming a coach, the Spaniard also thinks it is too early to discuss the matter.
"You never say never. Today it’s too early to think about this kind of stuff. I just need to organize my life. Now I don’t see myself in any project like this, but I don’t know how life is going to be in one, two, three years.”
The same publication also reported on Nadal discussing a documentary about his life that is being developed by Netflix and Skydance. He is very excited about the final result after working hard on it.
“I think it’s going to be something interesting, that people are going to know more about my personal life, my daily life trying to come back. And of course, they’re going to know more about my career, even if it’s very well known around, but to know a little bit more from inside, something that has never been talked about before. So I'm excited to see the final result, we have been working very hard."
“I always have been a little bit against doing this stuff but a great team like Skydance team and David Ellison called me and presented to me the project and at the end it was a fast decision and it was a big help of the family, the team, the tournaments, the rest of the players accepting that, and I am sure, and I hope that the people will like it.”
