Rafael Nadal’s coach admits to Major doubts
After nearly a year off the court, Rafael Nadal is almost ready to rejoin the ATP Tour, but his coach, Carlos Moya, has opened up about his “doubt” ahead of the Australian Open.
Nadal has not played since suffering a hip injury before his second-round loss against Mackenzie McDonald at the 2023 Australian Open.
He is now ranked outside of the top 600 in the world due to his absence from the Tour, but he will be able to use wildcards and his protected status to participate in a number of events. In addition, the Spaniard said that, depending on how his body handles his recovery, 2024 may be the last season of his career.
Coach Carlos Moya, who joined his squad in 2016, is in charge of overseeing Rafael Nadal’s recuperation process. The 1998 French Open champion Moya claims that his “biggest fear” over the impending comeback is how his countrymate would handle the transition from practising to competing.
“Rafa is going to go from training, which he is doing very well, to competing. And it is impossible to have the same conditions in training as in a match.” Moya said during an interview with ATP Tour media.
“Playing the best of five sets, win, rest, return to the court two days later… That is the doubt I have right now, especially for a Grand Slam. But we have time. If the Australian Open started tomorrow, it would be a real fear.’
“There is still a month left, a tournament before in Brisbane, demanding training… I think all of this will put him in a position to be able to endure it. But right now that’s my fear.”
The fact that Nadal is an unseeded player at the Australian Open increases the possibility that he will be bracketed with a player ranked in the top ten for his opening-round encounter. In 67 tournaments, he has just twice lost his first match at a Grand Slam event. That occurred at the Australian Open in 2016 and the 2013 Wimbledon.
“Although he can play using the protected ranking in his first nine tournaments upon his return, that will not prevent him from being able to play against very strong opponents from the first round,” Moya added.
“It is clear that the draws are going to play an important role in the return, especially because we want him to play games. I have never been of the thought that Rafa needs rhythm because he is too good for that, but now the situation is different. We are interested in him playing games, that he can win them to complete that level.”
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