Could Rafael Nadal become a coach? Marion Bartoli weighs in on his post-retirement path

Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli shared her thoughts on Rafael Nadal’s potential career as a coach after his retirement. The 22-time Grand Slam champion stepped away from the sport just over a month ago and has since made public appearances, including at the Next Gen ATP Finals.

Nadal has not indicated any specific plans post-retirement. Over the past year, rumours have linked him to a possible role as president of Real Madrid, the club he supports, but no concrete developments have emerged. Instead, Nadal seems focused on expanding his academy and fulfilling his commitments as a tennis ambassador in Saudi Arabia.

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Bartoli: Nadal could guide young talents

In a recent interview with RMC, former World No. 7 Bartoli suggested the possibility of Nadal becoming a coach. Given his involvement in the Rafa Nadal Academy, she believes it would be fascinating to see him guide a junior player to professional success, similar to Juan Carlos Ferrero’s work with Carlos Alcaraz, whom he started coaching at age 14.

“He has a passion for the game. It’s a bit like Pep Guardiola. He has invested so much in his own career daily that he could pass that dedication on to someone he coaches,” Bartoli commented.

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“What will be interesting to see is whether he will dedicate himself to his academy, where there are many young talents, and focus on developing a 12, 13, or 14-year-old player to bring them to the professional circuit,” the 2013 Wimbledon champion added. “It’s a completely different task compared to taking a player who has already won or is established on the circuit and elevating them further.”

Bartoli, who retired in 2013, had a coaching stint with former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko in 2019. Their partnership ended in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and Bartoli’s pregnancy. After giving birth to her first child, Bartoli briefly resumed working with Ostapenko as a part-time coach.

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