Rafael Nadal spoke about his future after retiring in an interview with Spanish AS. He was open to a possible exhibition tour with Roger Federer, but made it clear that such an idea would require planning and physical preparation: “If we’re having fun, if it makes sense and we feel like it – why not? There’s no closed door to picking up a racket again, but I would have to prepare thoroughly. When you play, you want to be prepared, and I’m not at the moment.”
Nadal officially ended his career at the 2024 Davis Cup Final after failing to recover adequately from a torn left psoas. The injury he sustained at the 2023 Australian Open forced him to miss almost the entire season. A comeback attempt in 2025 brought quarter-finals in Madrid and a final in Båstad, but it was clear that his body could no longer keep up.
Coaching role excluded, captaincy not
The 22-time Grand Slam winner clearly rules out a return to the tour: “No, because the body can’t take part anymore. Luckily, this stage is completely over. I’ve never been one to think: ‘What if…’ I think the head can’t take part anymore either.”
Videos showing him casually training with talents like Alina Korneeva and Alex Eala had sparked speculation. However, Nadal clarifies: “Without any ambition, just to have fun, support the girls and make sure they enjoy it.”
Nadal doesn’t see a permanent coaching role in his future, but hints that a role as Davis Cup captain would be conceivable: “Why not? I could have fun with it… or not. I’ve just stopped, it’s too early to think about it.”
