Retired Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal is making almost as much news this week as when he was an active player on the ATP Tour.
Nadal’s academy is hosting two prominent WTA players training for the upcoming clay court swing: Iga Swiatekand Alexandra Eala.
However, it is Nadal’s interactions with Swiatek and her new coach (and his former coach) Francisco Roig that is capturing the most attention.
Nadal has been spotted on multiple occasions watching Swiatek hit. He offered advice and encouragement.
Roig is Swiatek’s coach, but getting extra guidance from her idol, the King of Clay, before clay court season must be creating pinch-me moments for Swiatek.
Rafael Nadal and Iga Swiatek are longtime friends
She has never been shy about her Nadal fandom. Swiatek was in the stands wearing the commemorative t-shirt as Nadal was honored by Roland Garros last year.
At his request, she was a keynote speaker at the Academy’s graduation ceremonies in 2023 when Eala was a member of the graduating class.
Nadal traveled the world for decades playing on the ATP Tour. It is hard to imagine he would jump into a full-time coaching role as a married father of two young children.
The Rafa Nadal Academy allows him to keep his hand in the sport, offer a facility for training blocks for top athletes, and insert his opinion when asked. In addition to Swiatek and Eala, Spanish newcomer Martin Landaluce is an academy student.
Though fans would love to see Nadal as a full time coach, his current situation is ideal. He will turn 40 in June so coaching could be an option for him down the line.