Rafael Nadal retirement worries revealed by Andy Murray’s former coach
RAFAEL NADAL will leave a worrying hole in Spanish tennis when he eventually retires, says Alex Corretja.
Nadal, 31, is still going strong in the men’s game and is eyeing an 18th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open this month.
The Spaniard has won the French Open a record 11 times and dominates on clay each year.
Nadal is one of the favourites in Melbourne this year.
But with David Ferrer and Roberto Bautista Agut failing to kick on to Nadal’s standard - and Garbine Muguruza holding up Spain’s women’s ranks alongside Carla Suarez Navarro - Corretja is concerned Spain could see a lull of trophies coming their way in future years.
There will continue to be players but it will be difficult for us to understand the post-Rafa era
Yet Andy Murray’s former coach reckons Spain must be ready for the post-Rafael Nadal demise.
“There will continue to be players but it will be difficult for us to understand the post-Rafa era,” Corretja said.
“But it has happened to other countries such as Germany, with Steffi (Graff) and (Boris) Becker.
“To the United States, with (Pete) Sampras and (Andre) Agassi, or to Sweden.
“The time after Nadal will not be easy because any comparison with the players that will come or those that have been is literally impossible.”
Corretja previously worked as Spain’s Davis Cup captain.
But he says he isn’t interested in a return to front-line coaching, having split with Murray in 2011.
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“It's complicated to be with a player all the time,” he added.
“I received offers from top-10, from winning Grand Slam tennis players.
“But when you have a family and four children, the priorities are different. I love tennis but it does not compensate me.”