Former world No.1 Carlos Moya has said he has developed a stronger admiration for Rafael Nadal since becoming his coach.
The 1998 French Open champion has been working with the World No.2 since 2016 and has overseen him win five out of his 19 grand slam titles to date. Their partnership was formed by Toni Nadal, who reportedly contacted Moya about the opportunity. A couple months after the agreement, Toni outlined his plans to step down from Nadal’s coaching team to focus on other activities. Besides Moya, second coach Frances Roig has been a member of the team for more than a decade.
Recently reflecting on his time with the king of clay, Moya has hailed the work ethic of his fellow player. Describing the 33-year-old as a ‘perfectionist,’ he said the Spaniard at times spends more time practising on the court than he should. Prompting him to intervene sometimes.
“It is impossible to criticize Rafa for everything he has achieved and the attitude he has. When he plays I have the assurance that he will give everything,” Moya told the Subidos a la Red podcast.
“Sometimes I have to stop him in training. I go to tournaments and to the training courts I tell them to put us on a court where someone comes to throw us off. Everyone asks otherwise. I don’t want him to play more than ‘x “Time. If the court is empty, it is difficult to stop him, although now he assimilates it more.’
In February Nadal won the Mexican Open in Acapulco to claim his 85th ATP title. Placing him forth on the all-time list. Only Ivan Lendl, Roger Federer and Jimmy Connors have won more trophies than him in the Open Era. He is also the only player in history to have won the same grand slam 12 times following his almost spotless record at the French Open. At Roland Garros he has won 93 out of 95 matches played.
“You can see how (much of a) perfectionist and demanding Rafa is. It is a pleasure to be with him. You know that in the game there will be a fight. I would put my life in his hands.” Said Moya.
It remains to be seen how much longer Nadal will continue playing on the Tour given his history of injury problems. At present there is no indication that he is planning to quit anytime soon. In the current top 100 he is the 12th oldest player and is almost six years younger than rival Roger Federer.
Amid the speculation, Moya has praised his compatriots’ ongoing determination to improve his form even further. Something he believes originated from a couple of turbulent years Nadal experienced.
“It (the team) is very open when it comes to listening, to keep improving. I think a lot about what I have to say because when I came to the team they already had 14 Grand Slams. I arrived after two bad years after his (Nadal’s) anxiety in 2015 and the injuries of 2016 and the changes make it easier for you to be more open.” He said.
“Everyone can improve because perfection in tennis does not exist.’
“Seeing what a great friend has achieved, it is impossible to live with someone else, just with a son. It’s very difficult to experience something similar when Rafa’s career ends.”
In a recent Instagram Live chat, Nadal has vowed to continue his professional career for as long as he enjoys it. Prior to the Tour suspension due to COVID-19, he had won 13 out of the 16 matches he has played.
Nadal is one of only four players on the ATP Tour to have already made more than $1 million in prize money this season.
