Rafael Nadal has ruled out the prospect of becoming Carlos Alcaraz’s coach following the world No. 1’s split from Juan Carlos Ferrero. Alcaraz and Ferrero went their separate ways earlier this month following a successful seven-year spell together.

Ferrero linked up with Alcaraz in 2019 and helped his compatriot win six Grand Slams, including this year’s French Open and US Open titles. But just days after Ferrero had been chosen as the ATP coach of the year alongside Alcaraz’s other coach Samuel Lopez, the 2003 French Open champion had departed the 22-year-old’s set up.

Nadal retired from tennis just over a year ago following an incredible tennis career that saw him win 22 Grand Slam titles.

And discussing the prospect of taking on a full-time coaching role, the 39-year-old told Spanish outlet AS: “I’ve always had the utmost respect for what might happen in the future, because what you feel today isn’t necessarily what you’ll feel later.

“Life is constantly changing, especially when you have young children. You see life one way, a few years go by, and it changes.

“Travelling constantly? I don’t see it happening. Being a coach would require that, and right now it doesn’t fit with my life.”

Nadal did insist, however, that he would be happy to lead a Davis Cup team, which would require less of his time.

He added: “Being a Davis Cup captain someday? Why not? I might enjoy it… or not. I just retired, it’s too early to think about it. I respect life’s processes and the need to adapt. Right now, it’s not appropriate to think about that.”

Nadal also spoke about Alcaraz as he compared the star to his rival Jannik Sinner.

He explained: “I don’t identify with any of them. They are different players to what I was. I think Carlos is more random. He makes more mistakes, makes more spectacular points.

“Sometimes he doesn’t have such a defined pattern of play, which makes him unpredictable and fun for the viewer.

“Jannik is a more methodical, focused player, with a more defined pattern of play and who is adding things little by little, that’s why he is so solid and loses very few games.

“Sometimes it seems that Carlos is more scattered, but when you see the results… He has had an incredibly regular and solid year in all the major tournaments. That’s why I find it funny when I hear that it’s scattered – the results say otherwise, that’s my point of view.”