Carlos Moyá says no to the coaching offered by the ATP: “The beauty of tennis is the solo battle with your rival”

The announcement that the ATP will temporarily set up coaching for the rest of the season drew applause and complaints. Two very marked groups, which are divided by the option that tennis players can receive help from their coaches during matches. From the tennis association they assure that it is only a test, but that does not leave the detractors alone.

One of them is Carlos Moya. The former world number one and current coach of Rafael Nadal spoke about it with Eurosport and he was very against the measure, appealing to the fact that the loneliness with which tennis players have to face matches is a detail that differentiates tennis from other disciplines.

“I’m not very supportive of coaching. What makes tennis a special sport is that it is the only sport where you are alone against another without the help of anyone. In the rest of the sport, you have that contact one way or another, whether it’s with the presence of your coach, over the radio, with the caddy, whatever. That solo battle that the tennis player has, placing the puzzle pieces 180 beats and 20 seconds between points, choosing the right tactic every play, is part of every player’s quality “began the Spanish coach.

An idea that he had at all times and that he argued from his role as a strategist. “For me it is essential that the player thinks for himself, the work of the coach is already done. It’s like an exam, the teacher can help you, but once the exam starts, you’re on your own. The player must have controlled all the variants, because then things will happen that were surely not in the script “, he added.

When asked if he goes through times when he would like to help Nadal on the pitch, he answered honestly, but maintaining his position. “Of course, this feeling exists. I was a player, I understand what happens at all times, but it’s when you see everyone’s composure stop for a second and think about what to do. For me this is one of the most beautiful parts of this sport, now with the coaching it is possible that we will break this magic “, he comments.

He finally confessed that it could bring more changes to modern tennis. “This may be the first step in seeking greater change later. I would leave everything as it is, the beauty of tennis is the solo battle with your rival, it shows how smart you are and how good each one is “, he concluded.

On the same day that Moyá’s statements were published, his pupil Rafael Nadal played the first exhibition match in the London Borough of Hurlingham. The brand new winner of Roland Garros played his first game on grass in over three years and managed to win against Stan Wawrinka 6-2 and 6-3.

A triumph that Moyá saw from afar, since as usual the Spaniard does not accompany his pupil to Wimbledon. It’s been going on since they worked together and there doesn’t seem to be any sign of change.

Nadal will play another match in the friendly tournament and will conclude its preparation for the third big of the season.