Rafael Nadal in action. (FILE photo)
22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal has opened up about the possibility of becoming Spain’s non-playing captain in the Davis Cup in future. The 39-year-old, however, was quick to admit that it was too soon for him to be thinking along those lines since he had retired from the sport just over a year ago.
Nadal retired from tennis after representing Spain in the Davis Cup finals against the Netherlands in Malaga last year, a tie which the hosts lost 1-2 to bow out in the quarter-final stage.
“Being Davis Cup captain someday? Why not? I might enjoy it, or not. I’ve just retired. It’s far too early to be thinking about that. I respect life’s processes and adaptation. Right now, it’s not the time to think about it,” Nadal told AS in an interview.
The Spaniard, however, ruled out the possibility of taking up professional coaching as it would require him to travel right through the year – something which he was not comfortable doing at this stage of his life.
“I’ve always had the utmost respect for what the future may bring, because what you feel today isn’t what you’ll feel after some time. Life changes, especially when you have young children. You see life one way, a few years pass, and it changes. Traveling continuously? I don’t see it. Being a coach would imply that, and right now it doesn’t fit my life,” he added.
The 14-time Grand Slam champion, who is a father of two, revealed that he always tried to be the best version of himself during his days as a tennis player and post-retirement, the field of education and tennis academies have appealed to him.
“I don’t think it was excellence. I’ve always tried to give my best version. Now I’m learning what I can, trying to understand what I like more and what I like less in this new stage. I’m fortunate that I can dedicate more time to what I enjoy. I’m in a phase of discovering what I’d like to be “when I grow up.” The world of academies appeals to me, that’s why I spend time on it. Education too, at the Academy and at the university, UAX,” the 39-year-old said.