Nadal denies coaching Alcaraz, supports the young player, and refutes claims of his "instability."

After parting ways with his experienced coach Ferrero, the question of who will coach Alcaraz next has drawn significant public attention. Some media recently claimed that the Spanish legend Nadal was very likely to take on this role, yet Nadal explicitly rejected this notion today.

Nadal’s reply was straightforward and resolute. He said he has always remained open to future possibilities because “life is constantly changing,” but made it clear that given his current lifestyle, especially with young children, the frequent travel demanded by tour coaching is not feasible for him.

However, in an interview, Nadal expressed his willingness to serve as Davis Cup captain, saying, “One day becoming the Davis Cup captain? Why not? I might really enjoy it or maybe not. But I just retired, so it’s too early to think about that now.”

It is worth noting that this is not Nadal’s first comment on coaching. Earlier this year, he mentioned that rather than traveling around with players, he currently prefers spending time with his family.

Although he declined coaching offers, Nadal did not hold back his praise for the fellow Spaniard who has taken up the mantle of Spanish tennis.

He directly responded to those questioning Alcaraz’s “inconsistency.” “Sometimes it seems like Alcaraz is unstable, but if you look at the results… he has had an incredibly steady and solid year across all Grand Slam tournaments,” Nadal said. “That’s why when I hear people say he’s unstable, I laugh: the results actually prove the opposite.”

Nadal’s remarks quickly sparked lively discussion among tennis fans and netizens. Some humorously imagined, referencing Nadal’s trademark on-court habits, “If Nadal really became a coach, the first lesson would probably be about how to position your water bottle and where to touch before serving.”

Fans also praised Nadal’s family values: “Nadal has always known what matters most; choosing family after retirement is perfectly normal. Plus, he hasn’t closed the door completely—maybe once he adjusts to the new life, he’ll come back in a different role.”

Currently, Nadal is focused on his tennis academy, dedicated to nurturing the next generation of Spanish players. His clear refusal to coach may disappoint fans hoping for a “dream team,” but at the same time, his strong support for Alcaraz undoubtedly boosts the young player’s confidence as he faces the next phase of his career.

Regarding Alcaraz’s upcoming coaching choice, Spanish media speculate it might be the current Davis Cup captain Ferrer, or possibly Ivanisevic, or even the legend Agassi.

From a personal perspective, given the recent turmoil around the coach-player relationship and Alcaraz’s complex family situation, the new coach must speak Spanish, earn the trust of Alcaraz’s family, and have a substantial coaching background. Considering these factors, I believe that at least until the Australian Open concludes, Alcaraz will likely have only Samuel as his coach.

However, I think that as a top world player, Alcaraz has a very mature and extensive team, so Ferrero’s departure should not cause significant disruption. As Nadal said, “We all face expectations from the media, but in the end, we are human and know how to handle these situations.”(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)