Toni Nadal indicates that his coaching career is over

Toni Nadal remains one of the most authoritative voices in the world of tennis. After so many years accompanying his nephew Rafa Nadal and turning him into one of the best players in history, every statement from the Mallorca coach generates enormous interest. His opinions rarely go unnoticed, and on this occasion, a comparison between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner has sparked much discussion on social media in recent days, pointing out that his coaching career has already come to an end.

In a recent interview with the media outlet 20minutos, Toni Nadal addressed various questions related to his career and his understanding of the sport. However, some of his most interesting reflections came when analyzing the current state of the circuit, an area where the former coach often provides viewpoints that invite debate. From his preference between Alcaraz and Sinner, to the problems that, in his view, threaten modern tennis, he also marks the definitive end of his career as a coach.

Toni Nadal chooses between Alcaraz and Sinner

When comparing the two major figures in current tennis, Toni begins by valuing the work done by both teams. The Mallorcan admits that he does not know in depth their respective preparation methods, although he understands that the results show that both have found a working formula. However, when it comes to choosing between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, his preference is clear.

“If I had to choose between the two, in general terms I would choose Carlos. Personally, I prefer his style of play, although I must acknowledge that Jannik Sinner has also shown this year that he is a fantastic player. I wouldn’t know how to say which one is better, but, due to my personal preferences, I lean towards Carlos,” acknowledges the coach.

His choice therefore responds to a matter of taste and not to an assessment of who might be the better tennis player. Toni leans towards Alcaraz for his variety of resources, his ability to generate danger from different situations, and also for his personality, besides highlighting what might set him apart from his top rival. “Besides being a very complete and dangerous player on the court, he seems to me to be a very focused and intelligent young man,” comments Toni.

Toni Nadal states he will not coach any more tennis players

Interestingly, this preference for Alcaraz contrasts with statements he made last May, when he said that if he had to coach one of the two, he would choose Jannik Sinner. Back then, Toni particularly highlighted the discipline, education, and mindset of the Italian, qualities that align with the values he always tried to convey during his time with Rafael Nadal.

That said, one thing is to choose the player he enjoys watching on the court, and another very different matter is deciding with whom he would like to work. In fact, Toni Nadal has now dismissed any possibility of returning to the circuit as a coach, regardless of who might offer him that opportunity. The Mallorcan believes that his time in competition is over and that he will not take on the preparation of a professional tennis player again. “I wouldn’t coach either of them. Neither them nor any other. I am out of competition,” he pointed out.

Toni Nadal commented a few months ago that, among the current players, he would coach Sinner. In a recent interview, he chooses between Alcaraz and the Italian for his favorite. 🗣️ “If I had to choose between the two, I would go with Alcaraz. I prefer his style. I wouldn’t be able to tell you who is better, but I lean towards Carlos; he is a smart and very complete young man on the court.” However, he asserts that his coaching career is over. 🗣️ “I wouldn’t coach either Carlos or Jannik. Neither them nor any other player. I am already out of competition.” 🎙️ 20minutos.

— José Morón (@jmgmoron) October 26, 2026

Alcaraz's calendar reopens the debate about injuries

Another issue Toni wanted to address is the calendar of the professional circuit, a matter Alcaraz has criticized on several occasions due to the accumulation of tournaments and the physical demands players must face. However, the Balearic does not entirely share this diagnosis and believes that the main problem in current tennis is not in the number of matches but in the speed at which they are played.

For Rafa Nadal's former coach, the increase in power in strokes has led to more violent movements, with accelerations, direction changes, and stops that put the body under considerable stress. A situation that, as he explains, increases the risk of injuries in joints such as the wrists or knees.

Toni Nadal also points to the physical transformation that the circuit has undergone in recent decades. While it was once common to find players around 1.70 meters tall, currently there is an abundance of players over 1.90 meters and even reaching two meters. This is compounded by the evolution of racquets and their materials, which allow for much greater speed to be imparted to the ball.

What worries the coach is that tennis has evolved significantly in terms of physicality and technology without the rules adapting sufficiently to that transformation. However, he does not believe that Alcaraz will be especially disadvantaged in his career due to this circumstance. In his opinion, all players are exposed to similar risks, so the consequences of this evolution can affect both the Murcian and his main rivals.

This is not the first time Toni Nadal has insisted on the need to introduce modifications to slow down the pace of the game. In previous statements, he suggested a reduction in the size of racquets to limit the ease with which professionals generate power, to recover some of the importance of tactics, and to lessen the physical demands of rallies.

A reflection that brings back to the table a debate that goes beyond the calendar and impacts the very future of tennis. Because, beyond whether one agrees with his solutions or not, the Mallorca native's opinions always deserve to be heard due to his experience and his ability to question where this sport is heading. What is clear from these words to 20minutos is that Toni seems to have definitively set aside his career as a coach.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Toni Nadal señala que su carrera como entrenador está acabada