Rafael Nadal's coach Carlos Moya busts "urban legend" that Spaniard needs lots of matches to be ready

Rafael Nadal's coach Carlos Moya has brushed aside the idea that his charge needs a lot of match practice to regain his form when he returns from injury.

Nadal has been sidelined for several weeks now as he recovers from a leg injury. The 'King of Clay' hasn't yet been in action this claycourt season; skipping the Barcelona Open and Madrid Open to focus on his recovery.

Moya recently disclosed that the 22-time Grand Slam champion is doing better now and that there is daily progress. He also stated that Nadal is more disappointed than anyone else about not taking part in any clay tournament so far this year.

"We are a bit sad for not having been able to debut in the clay court season yet," Moya said, in a conversation with RTVE. "The one who is having the worst is him, but we try to encourage him and we are always optimistic."

"He continues with confidence, with Rafa you can always expect him to be I pulled a rabbit out of the hat," he added. "That's why I think it's always been an urban legend that Nadal needs a lot of games to be ready, when he has returned from injury he has always achieved good results"

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"We continue to progress day by day" - Carlos Moya provides update on Rafael Nadal's fitness and Italian Open participation

Rafael Nadal and Carlos Moya at the 2022 US Open.

Rafael Nadal hasn't had a good start to the 2023 season, to say the least. At the inaugural United Cup, he lost both his matches, to Cameron Norrie and Alex de Minaur respectively. Later at the Australian Open, Nadal beat Jack Draper before losing to Mackenzie McDonald in the Round of 64.

He has been on the sidelines ever since.

Carlos Moya gave an update on Nadal's participation in the Italian Open in Rome, which is the last big tournament before the French Open.

"Right now we're doing more or less an hour and a half a day and we continue to progress day by day. It's not even about being optimistic or pessimistic, just to observe the state of your progress on a daily basis," he said in an interview with L'Equipe.

"Of course these are difficult times because we missed tournaments that we love, but Rafa is a warrior, with an indestructible mind and when the time comes to return, we will be very motivated," he added. "Right now it is impossible to define the calendar, but if tomorrow when we see each other everything is correct the objective is to go to Rome and if it is not possible we will try to be at Roland Garros."

The Italian Open is set to get underway on May 9, with Roland Garros scheduled to begin on May 22.