Coach Moya: 'Nadal is only afraid of injury'

Coach Carlos Moya is optimistic that his student Rafael Nadal will regain his inherent class at the Qatar Open next month, if his body is completely healthy.

"Until his injury at Wimbledon 2022, Nadal had a spectacular year," coach Moya said in an interview on January 30. "If he hadn't been hampered by injuries, Nadal would have been the top candidate to win any tournament he played. He first needs to play consistently."

Nadal is currently outside the ATP top 600 and will compete in the tournament by defending his ranking as world No. 9, but will lose seeding status in the tournaments he will participate in. Photo: ATP — Nadal is currently outside the ATP top 600 and will compete in the tournament by defending his ranking as world No. 9, but will lose seeding status in the tournaments he will participate in. Photo: *ATP*

Nadal returned earlier this season, playing three matches at the Brisbane International, before withdrawing from the Australian Open with a torn muscle. According to Moya, Nadal was really sorry to miss the chance to play in Melbourne, even though the injury was not serious. "After three weeks the injury was healed, fortunately it did not develop further," Moya revealed.

Nadal will play the ATP 250 Qatar Open on February 19. He decided to skip the Rio Open on clay to continue testing his skills on hard courts. According to coach Moya, playing in Doha will help Nadal avoid having to change courts frequently in a short time. He is also scheduled to play Indian Wells, the Masters 1000 hard court tournament in the US in March.

"I know Nadal well and I have never feared that he would lose his ability," added coach Moya. "I know Nadal can compete because he is intelligent and has different game plans in his head. Like a bull that has been locked up for a year, it will rush like an animal when it is released into the middle of the ring."

According to coach Moya, Nadal's coaching team has high expectations but also adheres to the reality that the "King of Clay" is no longer in good shape. Nadal's training regimen and match schedule have been constantly changed in recent years to help him adapt to his condition.

"Of course the clay season is the focus for Nadal," Moya said. "It's the best surface for his body at the moment. We're prioritizing the Grand Slams, the Olympics and we can't think beyond that."

Vy Anh

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