Mats Wilander quips Rafael Nadal to coach this young star after Andy Murray joins Novak Djokovic’s coaching team
Mats Wilander reveals who Rafael Nadal can coach in the future, just the way Andy Murray partnered with Novak Djokovic ahead of the 2025 season.
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Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, (in circle) Mats Wilander (via Al Jazeera/BBC/ CLAY)
Since Rafael Nadal hung his racket at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, there have been questions surrounding what the Spaniard will do in the future. His fellow legend, Andy Murray, recently became a coach by partnering with Novak Djokovic ahead of the 2025 Australian Open. Tennis great Mats Wilander believes Nadal will follow suit.
Djokovic announced that Murray will be joining his coaching team ahead of the 2025 season. The duo met 36 times on the court, with Djokovic leading in their head-to-head record which stands at 25-11. Murray hung his racket at the Paris Olympics after playing his last professional match alongside Dan Evans in the doubles.
Mats Wilander shared during a recent interview that he believes Nadal will be a good coach, having won 22 career Grand Slams. With the legendary Spaniard’s experience on the court, he is sure to succeed in the new role. The Swedish legend then pointed out that Nadal would be the best coach for Carlos Alcaraz.
Alcaraz partnered with Nadal at the Paris Olympics doubles, which earned them the nickname, “Nadalcaraz.” They were also teammates at the just concluded Davis Cup Finals in Malaga. Wilander said Nadal would help balance Alcaraz’s game and strengthen his weaknesses.
It is very possible that Nadal will return as a coach. I can even imagine him coaching Alcaraz. Although Carlos currently has one of the best, Juan Carlos Ferrero, he lacks the ability to maintain the same intensity throughout a match. Nadal can bring that to him. In any case, Nadal will be involved in the reflection on tennis, either as a coach or as a commentator, and this is very valuable, he could even become the future captain of the Spanish Davis Cup team.
Mats Wilander said via Eurosport
However, Alcaraz has maintained a very successful relationship with Juan Carlos Ferrero and their partnership seems to be yielding fruits. Under the guidance of Ferrero, Alcaraz has won four Grand Slams and ended the year as World No. 1 in 2022.
Tennis legend believes Andy Murray is an excellent coach for Novak Djokovic
Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic’s partnership ahead of the 2025 Australian has continued to make headlines. Despite the duo being friends on the court, they were also rivals, but will now become a team. Djokovic is hoping to use Murray’s experience to bounce back to his form after ending the 2024 season without a title.
The Serbian reached only two finals this year and failed to win a Grand Slam for the first time since 2017. During the aforementioned interview, Mats Wilander revealed that Murray would be an excellent coach to Djokovic.
I think it’s a smart move. They’re the same age. Murray will be an excellent coach. He knows how hard you have to work. I think the message that Novak is sending is to Sinner and Alcaraz and the best players in the world. But I think it’s a much bigger message.
Mats Wilander said
Djokovic’s major test in the 2025 season will be at the Australian Open, where he has won the title a record 10 times. This season, he failed to reach the tournament final after losing to eventual champion Jannik Sinner.
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Victor Okechukwu
(688 Articles Published)