“Never say never”- Given that is how he played every single point in every match, Rafael Nadal‘s words will not surprise many, if any. However, this time the 22-time Major champion spoke the words while entertaining a question about a possible coaching return to the Tour. While the Mallorcan did leave the door open slightly, he was also quite clear on the new priorities of his life.

“You should never say never in life, but at the moment I definitely don’t plan to. As I’ve already mentioned, I’ve been practically non-stop on the road for the past few months,” said Nadal in an interview with Sports Illustrated. “That would be even worse if I were working as a coach. I’ve enjoyed every second on the tour, but now it’s time to write a new chapter in my life.”

Even though the hectic Tour life is behind him, Nadal remains an extremely busy man. The Spaniard is involved in the hospitality business, running his own lifestyle hotel brand, Zel. Given that the Spaniard’s brand has expanded to a fourth location and operates in collaboration with an established brand like Melia, the project is quite ambitious in scope.

The hospitality business is not the only preoccupation for Nadal, as the Mallorcan runs the Rafa Nadal Academy and the Rafa Nadal Foundation, both of which aim to help developing players make it to the pros and improve the lives of at-risk children in Spain. The Academy has been a huge success with the likes of Casper Ruud and Alexandra Eala going on to make it big on the Tour after their time at the organization.

Aside from his business activities, Nadal prefers spending time with his family, often spotted on his stylish yachts. Adding a strict Tour life as a coach would understandably be quite an undertaking. Having said that, Nadal is known for sharing advice and tactical insights with younger players. Having won two Majors this year, Alexander Zverev has been quite open about Nadal’s advice that helped the German break the Slam barrier. Even the former WTA World No.1 Iga Swiatek has spent time at the Rafa Nadal academy, with the Pole often benefiting from the occasional tip from the 22-time Major champion.

Should Nadal ever consider switching to coaching, he will have Andy Murray as a guide. The Spaniard is soon to join the Brit on the courts, as the two gear up for an exhibition event.

Rafael Nadal Set to Make an On-Court Event After Two Years in an Exhibition Event

Having played his last professional match at the 2024 Davis Cup, Nadal will make an on-court return at the exhibition event, ‘The Rafa Nadal Academy Slam’. While the event will see many former stars, the most notable name is Andy Murray, with the three-time Major champion set to face the Spaniard in a fun format.

While Nadal will have the likes of Carlos Moya, David Ferrer, and Richard Gasquet on his team, Murray will lead a team of Dominic Thiem, Fabio Fognini, and Marat Safin. The high-profile line-up will play four doubles matches, each featuring a single super tiebreak, as the event is all set to take place on October 3, marking the ten-year anniversary of the Rafa Nadal academy.

Meeting Murray will give Nadal an opportunity to catch up about their past rivalries and experiences, while also giving the Spaniard a chance to talk about the Brit’s coaching experience on Tour so far. Having retired in 2024, Murray surprised everyone by agreeing to be a part of Novak Djokovic’s team for a few months in 2025.

The Brit is currently a part of Jack Draper’s coaching team. While Draper has already cut his 2026 season short due to injuries, Murray was optimistic about a comeback and publicly committed to being on his coaching staff next year as well. The Brit does not travel to every tournament, keeping his availability limited, something Nadal might pick on should the Mallorcan ever consider dipping his toe into the coaching pool.