Nadal is expected to reach his peak form in April.

Coach Carlos Moya believes his student Rafael Nadal can play at his best in April, when the clay season begins.

"I'm happy with how Nadal performed in his first singles match in Brisbane," coach Moya told L'Equipe magazine on January 3. He said the "King of Clay" still has some small things to improve, but things are going in the right direction. "Nadal can be at his best in March or April," Moya added.

Nadal played two matches in Brisbane, including a doubles match with Marc Lopez on December 31. Photo: ATP — Nadal played two matches in Brisbane, including a doubles match with Marc Lopez on December 31. Photo: *ATP*

Nadal returned to action in Australia this month after a year out with a hip injury. He beat Dominic Thiem 7-5, 6-1 in the first round of the Brisbane International on January 2. After playing the ATP 250 event in Brisbane, the Spaniard will travel to Melbourne to play the Australian Open, a tournament he won in 2009 and 2022.

"Nadal needs 10 more matches to get his rhythm and confidence back," Moya said of the 22-time Grand Slam winner's plans. "With Nadal, you can expect anything once he's fit. Our idea is to give 100% for Roland Garros. But who knows, it might happen this week."

According to coach Moya, Nadal is 37 years old and being away from the court for a year is a big challenge for this comeback. The Spanish tennis player is also distracted by having to undergo surgery and his fatherhood. "Nadal is good at adapting to difficult conditions but his life is very different now," coach Moya shared.

Moya won Roland Garros in 1998, coached Nadal since late 2016 and helped his student win eight more Grand Slams, including six Roland Garros. The 47-year-old coach believes Nadal needs new tactical plans for this comeback to keep his hopes of competing for titles alive.

"Nadal is the type of player you can ask a lot from," Moya added. "We are focusing on the first serve, cutting down rallies and finishing more aggressively. Nadal's legs are clearly not what they used to be."

Vy Anh

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