By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Photo credit: Rafa Nadal Academy
Rafael Nadal played his final match representing Spain in the 2024 Davis Cup Final 8.
Toni Nadal, Rafa Nadal’s uncle and original coach, believes his nephew will eventually realize his tennis dream: Become Spanish Davis Cup captain.
Speaking to Radioestadio Noche, Toni Nadal said 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafa Nadal’s time will come as Spanish captain.
“I believe and I say I believe that Rafa will feel like being the Davis Cup captain,” Toni Nadal told Radioestadio Noche. “I don’t know at what moment, but I suppose that yes, he would feel like it and his turn will come. Besides, Rafa is one of those who builds a team.”
Toni Nadal "Creo y digo creo que a Rafa le apetecerá ser capitán de la Davis, no sé en qué momento, pero supongo que sí que le apetecería y ya le tocará. Además Rafa es de los que hace grupo" https://t.co/pK01G3s2gh
— Radioestadio Noche (@RadioestadioN) October 19, 2026
Yesterday, the Spanish Tennis Federation announced Marc Lopez, Rafa Nadal’s ex-doubles partner and former coach, will succeed David Ferrer as new Spanish Davis Cup captain starting officially on January 1st, 2027.
Lopez partnered Rafael Nadal to win the Olympic doubles gold medal for Spain at the 2016 Rio Games.
Former doubles world No. 3 Lopez will succeed David Ferrer, who is stepping down to return the pro circuit as a coach, and will be beside Ferrer as Davis Cup coach when Spain plays the Davis Cup Final 8, November 24-29th in Bologna, Italy.
“The Davis Cup captaincy is almost an award for the career of these great players who deserve it and it should be more or less rotational,” Toni Nadal told Radioestadio Noche. ” “Marc López is a wonderful person and gets along well with everyone; he knows a lot about tennis.”
Toni Nadal "Los jugadores se rebotan menos cuando más grande o más nombre tiene el capitán" "Conozco a David Ferrer, como persona es un 10 y la decisión que tome será por el bien del equipo español" https://t.co/jBlKw2fuhb
— Radioestadio Noche (@RadioestadioN) October 19, 2026
Toni Nadal, who serves as a director of the Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy in Manacor, also praised outgoing Spanish captain David Ferrer.
“The players complain less when the captain has a bigger reputation or more prestige,” Toni Nadal said. “I know David Ferrer, as a person he is a 10 and the decision he makes will be for the good of the Spanish team.”
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