The Spaniard bid farewell to his home fans as he closed the book on what was an emotional night in Malaga.

It remains to be seen what the 22-time Grand Slam champion will do next within tennis, after he impacted the game in such a profound way as a player.

Does Alex Corretja think Rafael Nadal will become a coach?

Once a great player’s career comes to an end, one question they are usually asked is if they will remain in the game but in the role of a coach.

Questions about whether Rafael Nadal will start coaching intensified after Andy Murray, who retired just three months before, became Novak Djokovic’s coach.

But Nadal’s compatriot Alex Corretja, a former Davis Cup captain for Spain, thinks it is unlikely Nadal will step into tennis coaching.

“In my opinion, it’s impossible,” he told Eurosport. “99.9% impossible, because you can’t say totally impossible in life. But I would be very, very surprised. I think he’s going to need time to realise what he really wants to do.

“I have the impression that even if he has children and is busy at home, Andy has less to do on a daily basis. Rafa lives in Manacor and he has his academy. So I don’t see him moving around much.”

What has Rafael Nadal been doing since he retired from tennis?

Nadal attempted to produce another vintage performance one last time when he took on Botic van de Zandschulp in the Davis Cup finals. But the 28-year-old was too strong and sealed a 6-4, 6-4 victory which helped the Dutch team secure victory.

Since hanging up his racket Nadal has enjoyed time with his family and he was spotted enjoying some action in the UEFA Champions League.

Speaking of his beloved team Real Madrid, Nadal attended their game against Liverpool FC at Anfield on Wednesday night, and saw his team suffer a 2-0 defeat.

Earlier that day, Nadal visited Premier League champions Manchester City as he spoke and took pictures with some of the players.

On the subject of football, Corretja says he can see Nadal taking up a role in football with Real Madrid more than a tennis coaching position. “I don’t really see Rafa as a coach or a consultant for anyone,” he added

“I would see him more as a consultant for something big like Real Madrid, contributing something to the club by giving a few speeches. I would see it for a short period of time. Three months or six months. But on a daily basis, I don’t really see it.”

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