Greg Rusedski doesn't think Rafael Nadal would consider Carlos Alcaraz at this stage of his life as the 1997 US Open finalist thinks the Spanish tennis icon will want to spend more time off before possibly returning to the Tour.
After the current world No. 1 shockingly split with coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, the public started speculating about possible replacements. To no one's surprise, Nadal's name popped up.
Last year, Nadal retired from pro tennis after spending more than two decades in pro tennis. Since then, the former 22-time Grand Slam champion has also welcomed his second child and focused on spending more time with his family and around his academy.
“I just don’t think Rafael is at a time in his life when he wants to get back on the tour and travel every week. Nadal has two young children, and he seems to be enjoying his retirement, so I just don’t see him giving everything up to go back on the road with Alcaraz," Rusedski said on his new podcast.
Rusedski on what may have led to a split between Alcaraz and Ferrero
The 22-year-old Spaniard has never hidden that he likes to party and give himself some quality time. And some believe that Ferrero – who is a very strict person – may have wanted the 22-year-old to change himself in that regard.
“Ferrero looks like he is battling with Alcaraz because the player wants to enjoy his life. If you are happy off court, you play better and if you try to change someone’s personality, it can get more difficult. That may be where the battle lines were drawn," Rusedski said.
After throwing out a possible reason for the Alcaraz and Ferrero split, Rusedski admitted that he hoped that the 22-year-old would stay with the same coach throughout his career and pull off a Rafael and Toni Nadal collaboration.
