Toni Nadal has definitively closed the door on a return to coaching, ruling out the possibility of working with either Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner despite expressing a clear preference for the Spanish player.
In comments to Spanish outlet 20minutos, the former coach of Rafael Nadal made his position unmistakable. “I wouldn’t coach either Carlos or Jannik. Neither them nor any other tennis player. I’m already out of the competition,” Nadal stated, signaling his complete departure from the sport’s coaching landscape.
A Preference for Alcaraz
Despite his firm stance against returning to active coaching duties, Nadal offered insight into how he views the two rising stars. Should circumstances force him to choose between them, Nadal indicated he would favor Carlos Alcaraz, the Spanish tennis player. His assessment focused on Alcaraz’s playing style and the completeness of his game, marking a notable endorsement of the compatriot who has been mentored by Juan Carlos Ferrero, the former world No.1 and current coach.
Season Derailed by Injury
The remarks from Nadal arrive against the backdrop of a challenging 2026 season for both players. Jannik Sinner, the Italian tennis star, and Alcaraz both sustained wrist injuries during the year that proved season-ending, severely limiting their competitive activity. Their injury troubles restricted their head-to-head encounters to just a single Monte Carlo Masters final, depriving the tennis world of what would otherwise have been an engaging rivalry storyline.
The absence of these elite players from major tournaments throughout 2026 underscores the injury management challenges facing today’s tour professionals. While other coaches like Darren Cahill continue to guide top competitors, Nadal’s withdrawal from coaching represents the end of an era for someone whose guidance shaped one of tennis’s greatest champions.