As the tennis world eagerly awaits Rafael Nadal’s return, his coach, Carlos Moya, opens up about apprehensions surrounding the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s performance in five-set matches. Moya’s primary worry revolves around the transition from training matches to the intensity of official Grand Slam competition.
Having last played in the 2023 Australian Open’s second round, where he faced defeat, Nadal is now unseeded at No. 666 in the world—a first in 19 years. Moya acknowledges Nadal’s impressive training performance but questions his ability to replicate it at the highest competitive level.
“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 stated during an interview with the ATP.
The coach expresses particular concern about the demands of playing the best of five sets, emphasizing the need for rest and quick turnaround in Grand Slam scenarios. Moya admits, “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.”
Addressing the challenge of facing top-tier opponents from the start, Moya notes that although Nadal can use a protected ranking in initial tournaments, he won’t be shielded from formidable competition. “The draws are going to play an important role in the return, especially because we want him to play games,” Moya emphasized.
While discussing Nadal’s potential longevity, Moya hints at uncertainties about the 37-year-old’s physical condition in 2024. He acknowledges Nadal’s reluctance to close the door on his career, saying, “Leaving a sport that you’ve done all your life, that gets you hooked by that special adrenaline, is very complicated.”
As Nadal’s comeback unfolds, Moya concludes, “If everything goes well, and he endures, why not continue? If he enjoys it, has a good time and it’s what he likes to do, why not? But there are too many unknowns right now to say where we will be in a year. Anything can happen.”
