Rafael Nadal’s Coach Dreads His ‘Expiration Date’ As He Confesses About The Hardest Moment With The Spaniard

It has been almost a year since the fans saw the ‘King of Clay’ in action at a competitive game. The 37-year-old Spanish legend, Rafael Nadal had sustained a hip injury at the AO earlier this year. This injury resulted in an early end to his season in 2023. But now he’s all set to make a comeback at the Brisbane International which is scheduled from December 31- January 7. Before that, let’s hear what Nadal’s coach has to say about his road to come back.

Rafael Nadal looks forward to turning a setback into a comeback. He is known for rising above the challenges and emerging stronger out of them. But the 47-year-old Spanish coach and former world number 1 says the process of Nadal’s return from injury has been his hardest time with Rafa.

Rafael Nadal’s coach reveals the most difficult time in the Mallorcan’s career

The 22 Grand Slam titles holder, underwent an arthroscopic surgery on his injured left hip flexor. Carlos Moya reveals the operation was more complicated than what it looked initially. He revealed how hard it was to start the practice after such a major surgery and at times it was more difficult as Nadal wasn’t getting better. Little by little they increased the intensity and now he’s ready to roar in the ‘Land Down Under’. Let’s catch up more on the comeback story of Rafael Nadal from his coach’s mouth.

Recently they came back from their Kuwait trip where they had undergone a few practice sessions to get adjusted to the similar heat of Australian summer. Carlos Moya recently reflected on the hardest moments with Nadal in an interview with ATPTour.Com. He started by saying, “Without a doubt. Other times there have been complicated situations as well, but now you see that the cartridges are running out.”

Moya went on to add, “The useful life of an elite athlete has its expiration date, and he is approaching it. One is never aware of when that moment is, it rarely is. You always keep trying. And I think that in that aspect we have all had our doubts that he would ever go to Australia, and he was the first.”

READ MORE: Serena Williams’ Ex-Coach Gets Real About Rafael Nadal’s Imminent Comeback to Assess His Chances of Achieving Glory

Moya continued, “I have had them in a certain part of the process, in certain stages. I had the feeling that it could be the end, without having the option to play again. It has been the most complicated moment I have experienced with him.” Moya revealed how the team looked after the well-being and confidence of Rafal Nadal and put up a balance between pushing and letting go. They had to be utmost careful in the 37YO’s comeback journey.

From World No. 1 to No. 666, can Nadal make a comeback in 2024?

Rafael Nadal has shown good signs of progress in training since recovering from the injury. Now he’s all set to kick-start his 2024 campaign in Australia. But before that, his coach, Carlos Moya expressed his worry about how the 22 Grand Slam winner would cope with intense schedules during the Grand Slams. Can his body take up the stress for a prolonged period?

Well, that still remains a question. Now having ranked at 666, it means Nadal won’t be able to avoid strong opponents in the early phases of the tournament. Will he get a favorite draw? Will Nadal push hard enough and get to experience his dream run in 2024?

Rafael Nadal, however, looks least interested in these speculations as he was seen recently practicing with 37-year-old French player Richard Gasquet at the Rafa Nadal Academy.  Can Nadal clinch his 23rd Grand Slam in what is supposedly his last season as a pro player?

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