Serena Williams' ex-coach compares pro athletes to 'addicts', shares why it was difficult for legends like Roger Federer & Rafael Nadal to walk away

Serena Williams' former coach Rennae Stubbs has likened tennis legends Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal who found it challenging to step away from the sport to "addicts" in a conversation with former German player Andrea Petkovic. In an episode of her podcast aired on November 26, Stubbs pinpointed the reasons behind such players' struggles.

Speaking on the Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, Petkovic said that after watching Nadal retire in Malaga, Spain, she realized that retiring is a challenging decision for all athletes, even for legends like the Spaniard and Federer because they find it difficult to "let go":

“I was so sad and so happy and I think what I tried to work out in the piece is that how hard it is to let something go even for the greats, for like Rafael Nadal, even for Roger arguably, do you think he wanted to have his last match at the Laver Cup, losing to Frances Tiafoe? He didn’t. But you know, it’s so hard to let go.” [49:55]

“This is what I tell people, ‘Being a professional athlete is legal addiction,’" Stubbs replied. "That’s what it is. Being a professional athlete is legally being addicted to something that is not a drug. And it is so hard. If anyone’s had a drug problem or a drinking problem, it’s really f*cking hard to give up because that high of being high is so good and when you're low it’s like all you want is that high again.

And being an athlete and being a tennis player is all about the win. And the win, there’s no better feeling than that feeling of accomplishing something that you dream about. And then it's really hard to walk away knowing you're never going to have the feeling.” [50:36]

Federer bid tennis farewell in September 2022 following a doubles match alongside longtime rival and friend Nadal at the Laver Cup. Frances Tiafoe and Jack Sock defeated them.

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“With Rafael Nadal, you could see when it turns into addiction” - Andrea Petkovic

Rafael Nadal at Davis Cup Final [Source: Getty]

22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal retired last week after representing Spain in the 2024 Davis Cup Finals quarterfinals against the Netherlands. He played the opening singles match and lost to Botic van de Zandschulp. Spain then went on to lose the tie 2-1 which also marked the end of the former World No.1's career.

In the podcast mentioned above, Andrea Petkovic said:

“I think with Rafa you could see when it turns into addiction, when it becomes hurtful for your life. You could tell that he was starting to neglect his being, like you could see that it was unhealthy, he was injured all the time, you could see it in his face. Rafa is not the most relaxed person in general.” [51:14]

Nadal won the Davis Cup in 2004, 2009, 2011, and 2019.