"I don't see him touring the circuit" - Rafael Nadal's former coach expresses his doubt on the Spaniard's future as a coach

After hanging up his racket at last year's Davis Cup, Rafael Nadal has maintained a low profile on the tennis scene. Although there have been questions regarding whether the Spaniard will return to the ATP in a coaching capacity, former coach Marc Lopez believes Nadal is content with what he has achieved on tour.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion dealt with injuries during the last two years of his career, before officially announcing his retirement at the start of the 2024 season. Nadal treated fans to a glimpse of his younger self during his remaining matches on tour, before bowing out in front of his home crowd at the 2024 Davis Cup in Malaga.

Former World No.1 Andy Murray retired at the 2024 Olympics, but soon found himself back on the tennis court as he began working with longtime foe Novak Djokovic this season in a coaching capacity. Lopez is of the opinion that Nadal currently has little interest in traveling around the world as a coach, although the Mallorcan could change his mind somewhere down the line.

"I can't imagine it, I don't know why," said Lopez. "I have my answer but I don't have a very solid argument to explain it. I think Rafa has already given everything he has to give on the court, maybe in a few years he will change, but I don't think so. Obviously, from an economic point of view, we know he doesn't need it, he can live perfectly well, but maybe he wants to experience other things.
"I don't see him touring the circuit, training... But hey, I'm telling you too, I would like that to happen! It's like if Federer started training one day, for all of us who love tennis, that would be incredible. With Rafa, I tell you I don't see it, but I hope I'm wrong and we will see it."