Rafael Nadal drops fresh hint about his next chapter after 683-day return to tennis court following retirement - 'Never say never'

Rafael Nadal has left the door open to a career in coaching after returning to a tennis court for the first time in 683 days, admitting that while the role is not currently on his mind, he cannot say what his future will hold.

'Never say never' - Nadal refuses to rule out future coaching role

Video credit: SNTV

The 22-time Grand Slam champion made his return at the Rafa Nadal Academy Slam in Manacor, Mallorca, on Saturday, captaining Team Rafa against Team Murray as the venue celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Nadal's appearance marked his first return to playing in front of the public since retiring from professional tennis in 2024, although there was no suggestion this weekend's exhibition represented the beginning of a competitive comeback.

Instead, the occasion offered an opportunity to see Nadal back on court in a more relaxed setting, surrounded by several of the players who shared the biggest stages of his career.

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Asked whether coaching could eventually become part of his life after tennis, the 40-year-old gave a measured response, highlighting the demands of the profession alongside his responsibilities as a father.

"To be a coach? Never say never," Nadal revealed. "In the end, I am here to give support to the boys and girls of the academy when they need it.

"I'm always open to being able to give a hand to whoever asks me to. But, I have two young children.

"I have many other things in my life today that occupy me on a daily basis, so I don't think that my current life allows me to be or imagine being a coach in the way that it requires to be a good coach and dedicate yourself professionally to serving a professional player as they deserve.

"So it's not in my head at all right now. I don't know in five years from now what might happen."

Nadal's route back to the court began almost by accident.

He explained last month that Alex Eala became the first player he shared a court with following his retirement. An invitation from the young Filipino player prompted him to pick up a racquet again after months away from the game.

The sessions gradually led to Nadal becoming more comfortable with the idea of playing again, eventually culminating in his appearance at the academy's anniversary event.

However, he admitted beforehand that returning to tennis was not without its complications.

"Grabbing the racquet will always be fun for me, but that's another matter from closing the door on exhibitions - I'll play them, but it's a slow process," he told the media ahead of the event.

"In the end, I finished my career with a lot of physical problems; the racquet reminds me of many of the pains I went through. I can live better than I expected, and for me, that's very important after spending so many years living something else."

The occasion brought together a group of former Grand Slam champions and former world No. 1 players, with Nadal and Andy Murray taking on the roles of opposing captains.

Nadal's Team Rafa featured Carlos Moya, David Ferrer and Richard Gasquet, while Murray's side included Dominic Thiem, Marat Safin and Fabio Fognini.

Team Rafa took the opening game, with Gasquet and Moya beating Fognini and Safin 10-9.

Team Murray responded immediately, with Murray and Thiem defeating Nadal and Ferrer by the same scoreline to level the overall contest at 1-1.

Nadal, whose last competitive appearance came at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals where he lost to Botic van de Zandschulp, was happy to poke fun at his own level after such a lengthy absence.

"It's something unique because of how bad I look," he joked courtside after narrowly losing his opening match.

For Nadal, the significance lies less in the score and more in what the occasion represents.

His professional career may be over, but his connection with tennis clearly remains. His academy gives him a role in developing the next generation, while occasional appearances such as Saturday's event allow him to return to the environment that shaped much of his life without the physical and competitive demands of the ATP Tour.

Whether that relationship eventually develops into coaching remains unknown, but his latest admission represents a more open stance than he offered in the months following his retirement.

The Spaniard's return to the court proved to be a winning one, as Nadal and Moya saw off Murray and Fognini to secure the title with a 4-3 win.

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