Read: Rafael Nadal's coach reveals 'real fear' upon Grand Slam return

Rafael Nadal’s coach reveals ‘real fear’ upon Grand Slam return

Rafael Nadal is close to returning to the ATP Tour after almost a year off, but Spanish coach Carlos Moya has expressed “doubts” ahead of the Australian Open.

Nadal has been out of action since suffering a torn psoas muscle in the second round of the 2023 Australian Open loss to Mackenzie McDonald.

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The 22-time Grand Slam champion missed Roland Garros during his absence, dropping out of the top 600 for the first time since 2002.

Nadal is currently focused on his impending return to the Brisbane International, with Moya detailing the player’s progress towards his long-awaited return.

“Rafa is going to go from training, which he is doing very well, to competition, and it is impossible to be in the same condition in training as in competition,” explained the 1998 Roland Garros champion .

He continued: “Play the best of the five sets, win, rest and get back on court in two days.” That’s how I feel at the moment, especially with Grand Slams in mind. I doubt it. But I have time. If the Australian Open started tomorrow, it would be really scary.

“There’s still a month until the tournament in Brisbane where he needs to train. With all this, I think he can withstand this. But now that’s my fear.”< /p>

Moya has coached Nadal since 2016, during which time he won a total of eight Grand Slam titles and eight Masters 1000 crowns.

However, due to Nadal’s drop in the rankings, this will be the first time he is unseeded and could face anyone from the first round of the tournament.

Moya then spoke about the threat posed to his players: “You can play in the protected rankings for the first nine tournaments after your return, but this does not prevent you from playing against very strong opponents from the first round of World Play.

“It’s clear that the draw will play an important role in the second leg, especially because we want him to play.” Rafa never thought he needed rhythm. Because he’s too good for that, but now he’s in a different situation. We are interested in him winning the game and allowing him to win the game and complete this level. ”

🎩Merci! 🎩@richardgasquet1 🤝 @RafaelNadal

I really enjoyed this exercise at @rnadalacademy. VAMOS!! ️ pic.twitter.com/QN6lmjDnoE

– Rafa Nadal Academy von Movistar (@rnadalacademy) 17. December 2023< /a>

Nadal has openly admitted that 2024 is likely to be his last year on tour, but Moya suggests it is too early to make any definitive statements about retirement.

“It’s very complicated to quit a sport that you’ve been doing all your life and that has a special adrenaline rush and is addictive,” said Moya, who retired in 2010.

“He (Nadal) doesn’t want to close the door. If everything goes well and he persists, why not continue? If he enjoys it and is having a good time and that If that’s what he likes, why wouldn’t he? But there are too many unknowns at this point to say where we’ll be in a year. Anything could happen. Yes.”

Nadal will officially return to the ATP Tour at the Brisbane International starting on Sunday, December 31st, before heading to the Australian Open.

In the baseline…

A number of players are expected to return for the 2024 season, but it would be hard to argue that more players are expected to return than Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard had to undergo arthroscopic surgery during his absence, but he won’t return unless he truly believes he can compete with the best. The possibility of an Australian Open first-round match between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic is almost unbelievable, but it will garner worldwide attention

Read more: Novak Djokovic ‘hated beating Nadal and Federer’, top coach claims

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