Rafael Nadal's success with coach and uncle Toni Nadal never had been questioned until this year. If Rafa has another subpar season in 2016, that family tie could be broken.
Toni Nadal suggested that his pupil, the former No. 1 player in the world currently toiling at No. 8, should consider bringing in a big-name coach, as his contemporaries have done, AFP reported.
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Federer's coach is Stefan Edberg. Novak Djokovic is working with Boris Becker. Andy Murray, who won two Grand Slams with former coach Ivan Lendl, now is working with Amelie Mauresmo and Jonas Bjorkman.
Nadal entered 2015 just trying to get through an event healthy after myriad injuries in 2014. But the limited practice time and play Nadal had to prepare for the season left him emotionally fragile, and he lost his confidence along the way.
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Nadal did win three tournaments but never advanced past the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam event. His run of five consecutive French Open titles - and nine titles in the last 10 years - ended with a quarterfinals lost to No. 1 Novak Djokovic.
Toni Nadal suggested that if Nadal doesn't experience a turnaround that it may be time for a change.
"I think you need to ask Rafael," Toni said at the China Open in Beijing, when asked by AFP if Nadal should consider a new mentor. "It's true that this year he's going a little down but I am sure the comeback of Rafael is coming soon. Maybe if next year Rafael is playing not too good, then I think he can think about some changes in his game or in his team."
Tennis.com suggested that Nadal might just add a "Supercoach" to help Toni straighten out Rafa.
"Federer, Djokovic, Murray, and Nadal all work with multiple coaches," Tennis.com reported. "Nadal works with Francisco Roig on a part-time basis; Federer has been coached by Severin Luthi since 2008; Djokovic works with Marian Vajda, who he started with in 2006; Murray has been switching between Bjorkman and former No. 1 Mauresmo."
John McEnroe showed an interest in partnering with Murray after Lendl left. Jimmy Connors worked with Eugenie Bouchard for a few days before the U.S. Open, and she went on to win three straight matches for the first time since January.
Only a concussion Bouchard suffered before her fourth-round match ended Bouchard's run.
Rafa isn't yet looking that far ahead; he is still trying to finish off 2015 on a positive note.
"I think I am working well. I am very motivated to go for that challenge that brings me the chance to overcome a tough situation for me," the 29-year-old said. "I love that feeling, and I am going to fight to make that happen."
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