Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray both entered retirement this year.
Although Express Sport readers expect Murray to have success with the world’s number seven, they believe Nadal should avoid coaching.
This year has seen a surge in high-profile retirements, with several Grand Slam champions laying up their rackets. Dominic Thiem and Angelique Kerber are among those who have withdrawn.
Murray and Nadal also said goodbye to the sport. The Brit retired after losing in the quarterfinals of the Olympics men’s doubles, while Nadal did the same at the Davis Cup Finals in November, retiring when Spain lost.
Murray, a three-time Major winner, has already secured a new position as Djokovic’s coach for the offseason and the Australian Open. As tennis fans wait to see where Nadal goes after retirement, there is one path they do not want him to follow.
When asked if the Spaniard should follow Murray’s lead and become a coach, 59% of Express Sport readers disagreed. Nadal has not declared his next step, but he has launched a Netflix documentary series.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion recently attended the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah as part of his duty as a Saudi tennis ambassador. Nadal has expressed interest in various sports after retiring.
He entered a golf event in Mallorca and traveled to the United Kingdom, stopping first at the Manchester City academy before flying to Anfield to watch his favorite Real Madrid play Liverpool.
Although Express Sport tennis fans do not want Nadal to become a coach, they still believe Murray will be successful as Djokovic’s mentor. 55% predicted that the Serb will win the title with Murray by his side.
The world No. 7 will begin his season in the Brisbane International on December 29. Murray will not accompany him, instead traveling to Melbourne to assist Djokovic in winning a record-extending 11th Australian Open title.
Murray reached five Australian Open finals but never won, losing four of them against Djokovic. This time, he’ll be rooting for his competitor to win.
After agreeing to teach Djokovic, the two-time Olympic winner stated, “I’m really excited for it and looking forward to spending time on the same side of the net as Novak for a change, helping him achieve his goals.”
Djokovic continued, “I am thrilled to have one of my greatest adversaries on the same side of the net as my coach. Looking forward to the start of the season and competing in Australia alongside Andy, with whom I’ve enjoyed many memorable occasions on Australian soil.”
