In an extensive interview with the AS newspaper, the Balearic discussed life after retirement, his tactics against Federer or Djokovic, and much more.
Rafael Nadal has changed his pace of life. The endless alarms, training sessions, flights to different cities, and the routine imposed by the world of tennis are over; hello to diapers, daycare, commitments, meetings, and business opportunities. Over a year after his retirement, the Spaniard enjoys the calmness of observing things from the sidelines, a 180-degree turn in his life that he appreciates, where priorities have shifted.
Is there still a Rafael Nadal tennis player? According to what he confesses in an extensive interview with AS, not anymore. It is a “closed chapter”, the prologue to a life change where he admits to having “found happiness” after a year of doing “many things” and always enjoying them. “I don’t live thinking I was a tennis player. The memory will always be there, but I no longer live thinking about tennis, aside from occasional moments at the Academy”, states the man from Manacor with certainty.
Closing a chapter means doing it wholeheartedly. No one better than him to avoid pondering on any “what ifs.” That’s why he admits that when training with a retired Marc López who would sometimes mention that he could do something if he returned to the circuit, Rafa was the one to remind him that that phase had ended. It’s an anecdote that clearly defines Nadal’s willpower when making decisions. “Physically, I am where I am today, and mentally as well”, affirms Rafa, who admits to picking up the racket only a couple of times: to spar with Alina Korneeva and Alexandra Eala at his Academy. “I did it without expectations or interest, just to spar and help the girls,” he confesses.
Nadal delves deep to analyze his matches against Federer and Djokovic: Were there any tactical secrets?
A considerable amount of time has passed for Rafa Nadal to confess what made him so successful against the best. How did he prepare for his epic battles against Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic? With the Swiss, he admits that “the plan was clear”, targeting the backhand with his high ball on many occasions and finishing with his trademark move. “I kept hitting it there until he stayed still, anticipating the shot, and then I could switch to his right side. I knew that sticking consistently to the backhand caused him mental fatigue, and even though it was demanding for me too, and I didn’t always feel like doing it, it was the most feasible play for me,” he confirms. However, with Nole, there wasn’t such a clear game pattern… and physicality played a crucial role, especially in the later stages of his sports career.
With Novak, it was more random, but in recent years, with a body that warned me of certain efforts, it was much more complicated,” states Nadal, confessing to opting for “shorter points” and innovations in his tennis, like serving more aggressively. “Winning against Novak in two or three shots is very difficult. I wanted to be more aggressive with my serve at times, but it didn’t work out,” notes Nadal, who does remember some legendary victories on clay. Hence, he mentions that later in his career, he found it easier to face the Serbian on clay or grass (citing the Wimbledon 2018 clash) than on hard courts.
Nadal considers becoming the captain of the Davis Cup in the future and answers a critical question: Does he see himself as a politician?
Predicting the future is challenging, especially when your name is Rafael Nadal. Offers and opportunities will never be lacking, and the tennis audience immediately points towards that natural transition to a coaching role, a path many have trodden before. Does Rafa see himself as a coach soon? Is it a feasible option? Currently, it seems unlikely, but Nadal leaves a door ajar, particularly for a potential role as the captain of the Davis Cup.
“What one feels today might not be the same in the future. Being a coach would require me to travel full-time, and with my children, I don’t see that happening at the moment. Being the Davis Cup captain? Why not? It could be fun… or not,” points out Nadal, who chooses to respect “life processes”and take all the time in the world to move forward from a chapter, the world of tennis, that he himself declared closed a few lines earlier.
Not only does the public call for him to be a coach, but there have also been clamors for the man from Manacor to venture into the realm of politics, a bizarre request that has gained traction over time. However, Rafa shuts the door on that career path, stating that “he wouldn’t have many options for success” and pointing out the “generalized tension” as a reason to refuse pursuing a career in this field. Opportunities and occupations will not be lacking, and he himself admits to being at a crossroads, choosing paths and figuring out how he would like to spend his time in the coming months. “I like the world of Academies, that’s why I dedicate time to it; also in education or tourism. Gradually, the path will become clearer,” he states, without pretensions and with the calmness that time bestows.
Finally, reflecting after so many years of a career, of achievements that will endure and become practically incalculable… if there is one thing Nadal is certain of, it is that the journey “has been worth it”. “I had a very long career and was very happy. There are results that still seem unimaginable to me: when I think that I’ve won 14 Roland Garros… it’s tremendously difficult. Or so many years without leaving the top-10, with so many injuries: I am very proud of that record because it speaks of perseverance and continuity“. We are truly proud of you, Rafa.