There is ‘no doubt’ over what Rafael Nadal will do within the next two years after retiring from playing tennis

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Rafael Nadal called time on his glittering career at the Davis Cup, with his Spain side having suffered an early exit.

Italy won back-to-back Davis Cup titles with their final win over the Netherlands, who knocked Spain out in the quarter-finals.

Nadal lost his only 2024 Davis Cup match, but the Spanish superstar was given a farewell ceremony after his stunning career on the court.

He leaves tennis with 92 ATP Tour-level titles, with his 22 Grand Slam trophies just two behind all-time leader Novak Djokovic.

Such was his ambition to win, however, Nadal will have been left very disappointed with an early Davis Cup exit, particularly on home soil in Malaga.

Rennae Stubbs predicts what Rafael Nadal will do within next two years

But as noticed by Rennae Stubbs, the veteran still managed to remain upbeat as he cheered on his Spanish teammates after his initial loss.

“What made me the happiest, the thing I got the most joy out of watching the doubles, because the guys lost 7-6, 7-6, was watching Rafa watching them,” Stubbs said on The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast. “I have never seen a guy more pumped watching another team try and win a match. He was up and out of the stands, he was pointing his finger.

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“There is no doubt in the next two or three years he will be the captain of the Spain Davis Cup team. He was yelling at David Ferrer. He was calling him over. He was going up, saying stuff to him, he was yelling at [Carlos] Alcaraz, pointing his finger, saying stuff to him. It was so great to watch. None of it was over the top, none of it was inappropriate.

“He was just so into it. He loves tennis. I know Roger [Federer] loves tennis, but I think Roger loved tennis and the whole thing about his fame and the people and he loved being loved. Rafa just loved to compete. The effort he put in in the singles match, he tried to ends of the earth in that match.”

What will Rafael Nadal do after retiring from tennis?

Nadal will undoubtedly first and foremost enjoy a well-earned rest, having given so much to the sport for so many years.

His body and indeed his mind need a break, with injuries having really taken their toll on the Spaniard in recent years.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Rafael Nadal as the 14-time French Open winner announces retirement

But as witnessed by his fellow legend Andy Murray, staying away from tennis once retiring is perhaps easier said than done.

The Scot retired from playing in August, but has already agreed to coach Djokovic in the off-season and at the 2025 Australian Open.

It remains to be seen whether Nadal will also go down the coaching route that is so common within tennis, but one certainty is that a long list of players could benefit greatly from his knowledge and experience.