Answering to the clamours of a new voice, 14-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal has added the former World No. 1 Carlos Moya to his team. The Spaniard announced his decision on Saturday in a statement, revealing that the former French Open champion will work in tandem with his two longtime coaches – uncle Toni Nadal and Francisco Roig.
Because of Nadal’s loss of form for the past two years, many experts were of the opinion that he needed to have a fresh voice in his team to revitalise his career. However, the 30-year-old has been fiercely stubborn and loyal to his uncle and refused to have any change in his coaching set-up which had gifted him as many as 14 Major titles.
But sticking to his decision did not bring any change in the fortunes for the Majorcan who has remained Slamless since capturing the 2014 French Open.
With him having turned 30 this year, a change became imperative.
Nadal could not have gone for a better choice. Moya, a fellow Majorcan, had long been Rafa’s inspiration and the young Nadal used to look up to him when he was starting out. Nadal famously even cried after beating his idol at the Hamburg Masters in 2003.
“To have someone like Carlos who is not only a friend but also a very important person in my career is something special,” Nadal said in the statement. “He will be next to me on my practice and competition.”
The 1998 French Open winner Moya, who guided Milos Raonic to a Wimbledon final and a World No. 3 ranking in 2016, parted ways with the Canadian at the end of the season. That spurred Nadal’s team to ask him to join forces with Rafa, Toni admitted, adding that it is the ‘right moment’ to have his expertise.
“To be honest it was great to receive that call. To be able to help Rafa is something special for me and I am sure that together with Toni, Francis and the rest of the team we have a great common project,” said Moya, who has been friends with Nadal for a long time.
“Rafa is a special player and above all a great person and friend on which I have a lot of trust and confidence that will be able to continue winning important titles,” the 40-year-old added.
Nadal, who won two titles in 2016, saw most of his season ravaged by a wrist injury that forced him to skip Wimbledon. The former World No. 1 is now languishing at the ninth spot after having to call off his season early in an attempt to rest and fully recover ahead of 2017.
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