Rafael Nadal has added former world No.1 Carlos Moya to his coaching team with immediate effect.
Moya’s appointment comes shortly after he ended his collaboration with Milos Raonic after mentoring the Canadian throughout the 2016 season. The new partnership came about after Moya was contacted by Nadal’s primary coach (Toni Nadal) earlier this month about an opportunity to work with the nine-time French Open champion.
“I am very excited to announce that Carlos Moya will join my team immediately and working together with Toni (Nadal) and Francis Roig. To have someone like Carlos who is not only a friend but also a very important person in my career is something special. He will be next to me on my practice and competition.” Said Nadal.
Nadal and Moya have maintained a close friendship throughout their careers. Beyond his retirement from tennis, Moya has been a vocal supporter of his compatriot. In October he told the ATP Champions Tour Website that Nadal still has the ability to win more grand slam titles, despite his recent injury woes. More recently Moya, who won the 1998 French Open, told Spanish outlet Radio Onda Cero that the 30-year-old has the ability to return back to the top of the Emirates rankings.
“I was expecting a season like this. I´ve had a lot of faith in him (Nadal) and I thought he was a player who´s not very far from reaching his full potential. This year, he´s been very consistent, except for the stretch from September to October, but that is normal too.” Moya said about Nadal’s 2016 season.
Who remembers this? R.Nadal/C.Moya vs. R.Federer/S.Wawrinka 1R Rome 2007… Who won? pic.twitter.com/vs8enbOS1q
— BreakPointBR (@BreakPointBR) 17 December 2016
Moya will also become a member of the Rafael Nadal Movistar Academy in Mallorca, working alongside Toni Nadal and Francis Roig.
“To be able to help Rafa is something special for me and I am sure that together with Toni, Francis and the rest of the team we have a great common project. Rafa is a special player and above all a great person and friend on which I have a lot of trust and confidence that will be able to continue winning important titles.” Moya said about his new role.
This season, Nadal won two ATP titles in Monte Carlo and Barcelona before being hampered by a wrist injury that forced him out of action for two months. Returning to competitive tennis at the Rio Olympic Games in August, Nadal’s roller coaster season came to an early halt in October due to his troublesome wrist.
The addition of the former Spanish world No.1 has been praised by uncle Toni, who orchestrated the agreement. In a press release, the 55-year-old believes that the new arrangement in a step in the right direction.
“Carlos has always been a special person for us. Rafael always had a great appreciation and consideration when he was playing and as a number 1, and he was always there to help us. We understand it is the right moment to have him join our team.” Said Toni Nadal.
Throughout Nadal’s career, he played Moya eight times between 2003-2008 on the ATP Tour, winning six of their meetings. They also played doubles together in four ATP tournaments, reaching the quarterfinals at the 2007 Rome Masters.
Nadal will start his 2017 season at the Brisbane International in the first week of January.
