Rafael Nadal and coach Francisco Roig end partnership after 18 seasons together

When Rafael Nadal seeks a 23rd Grand Slam trophy in 2023, he will be without one guiding voice that helped him achieve his first 22.

On Friday, Nadal announced that Francisco Roig was stepping away from their long-time collaboration to pursue “a new personal project” after working together since 2005.

“Francis has been an important person in my career and I am very grateful to him for all these years of work and friendship,” said Nadal on social media.

In 2022, Nadal completed a double career Grand Slam with his first Australian Open triumph since 2009. He later improved to an improbable 14-0 in Roland Garros finals to reach the 22-major title mark, and on Thursday, was named ITF World Champion for the fifth time.

“Francis is a great coach who knows tennis very well and has helped me a lot to get better and better,” reflected the 36-year-old. “I only have words of gratitude and I wish him all the luck in the world in his new project!”

With Roig’s departure, Nadal’s coaching team now consists of Carlos Moya and Marc Lopez.