“We’ve Made Very Slow Progress”: Coach Opens up on Rafael Nadal’s Performance Ahead of French Open 2020

One can’t just talk about the French Open without mentioning the name Rafael Nadal. Such is the aura and accomplishment of the World No.2 in the Grand Slam. In a recent interview with ATP Tour, Nadal’s coach Carlos Moya talked about the 12-time French Open champion’s fitness, gameplay, and his improvement in training after the long coronavirus break.

“More than rediscovering his game or fitness, the toughest thing was his mind. His mind wasn’t ready… We gave full priority to his mind, to play when he felt comfortable. There were days when we played five minutes, others one hour, others nothing,” the coach said in the interview.

Moya has been coaching Rafael Nadal since 2016. Despite his recent loss against Diego Schwartzman at the Italian Open 2020, Nadal will definitely start as the favorite for the Ronald Garros. He has a phenomenal 118-2 win-loss record at the French Open.

Read More: Why is it difficult for Nadal to win the French open 2020?

‘He had niggles and aches’- Moya on Rafael Nadal

Nadal did not play the US Open 2020 as he could not recover on time. His form also wasn’t up to the mark in the Italian Open 2020.

“He had niggles and aches, but we knew there would be aches. We had to stop for a few days because of certain niggles, but nothing serious,” said Moya.

When asked about whether he would be fully fit or not, the coach sounded optimistic. He also talked about the progress Nadal made in the long-break. “We’ve made very slow progress, very gradual, both in terms of tennis and fitness.  He’s ready, but he needs more matches under his belt. A player can get to 80 or 90 percent in training, but the rest you get from winning. He needs to have the continuity of playing several matches,” admitted the coach.

‘Roland Garros has a very special place on his calendar’- Coach Moya

Talking about his enhancement in training, Moya claimed that the 34-year-old looked determined and still wanted to improve. “He was inconsistent in training, which is normal after so many months without playing… It was a logical progression. There were days when he trained very well and the next day he struggled,” said the coach.

Discussing Nadal’s love for the French Open title and how this year was going to be different from last year, the coach unveiled many things. He said, “If you look at his career, it is clear that Ronald Garros has a very special place on his calendar. This year, the margin for error is far narrower. In 2019 he gradually improved after a series of problems he had. He started badly in Monte Carlo and Barcelona, improved in Madrid, in Rome he was back to normal, playing well and in Paris he capped it off by winning the title.”

Rafael Nadal is undoubtedly one of the best players to have ever played on clay. However, conditions are different this time. The Spaniard is due to face Egar Gerasimov at Round 1 of the French Open 2020. The 19-time Grand Slam winner has a golden opportunity to level Roger Federer’s Grand Slam tally of 20 this time.

Also Read: What makes Nadal unbeatable at the French Open?