As Rafael Nadal joins Roger Federer in retirement, the possibility of either delving into coaching has been explored
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal could greatly help Carlos Alcaraz’s decision-making should they ever coach the Spaniard. That is according to former world no.10, Arnaud Clement.
With Andy Murray stepping out of retirement to team up with Novak Djokovic, the possibility of both Federer, who hung up his racket in 2022, and Nadal, who called it quits last month, switching from star to mentor has been explored. Four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz is currently coached by Juan Carlos Ferrero, who has been by his side since the age of 15, and recently added Samuel Lopez to aid him ahead of the 2025 season.
However, ex-French tennis star Clement feels the 21-year-old could learn a lot from either of the icons, should such a dreamlike proposal become reality.
“Alcaraz knows how to do everything: his problem is knowing what to do when,” Clement began, speaking to Eurosport when asked about how Federer and Nadal could theoretically help Alcaraz.
“Both Nadal and Federer could obviously help him in that respect. Sometimes, it’s very clear in his head, and he’s the epitome of accuracy, but at other times, he makes mistakes.
“And that often coincides with a lack of freshness. There’s work to be done on the programming in terms of exhibitions, for example. It depends on what he wants: to win as many Grand Slams as possible? He’s off to a pretty good start, but it’s a long-term process.”
Alcaraz, along with Jannik Sinner, continue to lead the way in the sport’s new order following the retirements of Nadal, Federer and Murray. But the Spaniard is well-aware of the stars that came before him and holds Nadal, in particular, in the highest regard.
Nadal and Alcaraz played together for Spain (Image: Getty)
“For us young players coming up, who have many years ahead of us, we’ve been lucky to see the era of Rafa, Federer and Djokovic, although [Novak] is still playing… that battle between those three gladiators, players who aren’t from this planet,” Alcaraz admitted. “But, at the same time, I’ll also say that [Rafa] has left a lot of people with the hope of seeing what is to come.
“In a way, if those of us who are here, the young players, and those coming up behind him cannot reach that level, it will be seen as frustrating or disappointing for the world of tennis.
“I’m lucky to be close to him, to have played doubles with him, to have practised with him, to have shared a Davis Cup team with him and the locker room in singles tournaments.
“Not as much as I would have liked – I wish I’d arrived on tour earlier. We’ll see at the end of my career, but if it’s half of what he’s done, I’ll be more than happy.”
