The coach of Rafael Nadal admits he still has reservations about how the former world No.1 will fair at the Australian Open which will get underway next month.
Nadal, who has won 22 major titles so far in his career, hasn’t played a competitive match in almost a year due to a hip injury which he underwent surgery on during the summer. As a result of his absence from the Tour, he is currently ranked outside the world’s top 600 but will be able to play in a series of events with the use of his protected ranking, as well as wildcards. The Spaniard has also admitted that 2024 could be the final season of his career depending on how his body fairs during his comeback.
Overseeing’s Nadal rehabilitation process is coach Carlos Moya who joined his team in 2016. Moya, who won the 1998 French Open, says his ‘biggest fear’ about the upcoming comeback is how his compatriot will cope with the difference between training and playing matches.
“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 the ATP.
“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.”
Another factor for Nadal is that he will be unseeded at the Australian Open which means he could be drawn against a top 10 player in his first round match. Only twice in 67 appearances has he lost his opening match at a Grand Slam tournament. That was at Wimbledon in 2013 and the 2016 Australian Open.
“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 commented.
“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.”
As for what the future has in store, Moya admits that he doesn’t know what might happen as he draws parallels to when he retired from the sport back in 2015 at the age of 34 which is three years younger than Nadal’s current age. He decided to do so due to a persistent foot injury.
“Leaving a sport that you’ve done all your life, that gets you hooked by that special adrenaline, is very complicated.” He explained.
“He (Nadal) doesn’t want to close the door. 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.”
Nadal will return to action during the first week of January at the Brisbane International.
