Heartbreaking details of Rafael Nadal’s recovery revealed by his coach

“I noticed something in my hip and it’s over. “I can’t say I’m not mentally destroyed, that would be lying.” . With these heartbreaking words Rafael Nadal (649th ATP) He made his discomfort known when he finished his second round match at the Australian Open last year with obvious physical problems. fall in three sets against the American Mackenzie McDonald (48th ATP) . What no one expected was that This injury kept him off the track for almost a full season, only returning to the circuit on January 2 of this year. , when he beat Dominic Thiem (90th ATP) in straight sets during the Brisbane tournament. In this direction, Carlos Moya, his trainer in an interview with tennis media Punto de Break, revealed grim details about his recovery.

If there is anyone who knows all the details of Nadal’s rehabilitation and the difficulties he had to overcome to return to the circuit, it is Moya, who trained 22 times Grand Slam champion since 2016.

First of all, he started by talking about the Spaniard’s ability to cope with the demands of the circuit after so many months without playing. “I knew I wasn’t going to see any loss in level or physique, My fear was knowing what would happen during tough and demanding matches. We did a lot of simulation in three-hour practices or playing several sets, but competition is another story. You don’t have this extra tension and it shows, especially after a year and at this stage of his career.

The coach was satisfied with the level displayed during his return to professional tennis, because despite all the time he qualified for the quarter-finals in Brisbane. “It made me think of a bull that’s been locked up for a year, and you release him in the middle and he goes like a beast. After so many months of suffering, I saw him enjoying again both in training and matches in Brisbane. This was the version of Rafa we all wanted to see.

He continued to assure him that it made him happy to see that all the work accomplished was worth it. “He was suffering because of the match, but at the same time he was enjoying this moment. All the months of work and suffering have been rewarded. He felt playful again. I loved all three games. He gave us a little taste of what we can expect from him. In terms of level, I was very satisfied with what I saw.

The Olympic medalist had abandoned the possibility that 2024 would be his last year of competition However, Moya thinks that if he continues to feel comfortable, that might not be the case. “He has earned the right to decide how, where and when he wishes to retire. Despite his situation, which changed with the arrival of a child, “He wants to continue to compete this way.”

He also said how complicated and tedious the recovery process that Rafa had to undergo was, even leaving aside optimism when he felt that the rehabilitation did not have the desired effect. “If there were videos of the first training sessions we did in August… They were neither optimistic nor positive. You understand that this is the process that you have to follow in three or four months to be competitive. On a daily basis, things happen to you that set you back a little. You’re not moving at the speed you thought you would.

Despite the hesitations, they fully trusted the medical team. “That’s where you have doubts. I had doubts that I wouldn’t be able to play again because of how I saw it in the first or second month where progress was minimal. We played for 15 to 20 minutes and Sometimes he would lie on the ground because of the pain. These are difficult situations, but we knew from the doctors that I had to go through it, an adaptation of the body, but everything was very controlled. There were days when we doubted.

He concluded this point by insisting that he should not suffer a relapse of his injuries. “A priori no. They left the tendon much better than before the injury. In theory no. »

The former world number one is optimistic that Nadal will once again be able to play on an equal footing with the best players on the ATP Tour. However, He has doubts about his ability to maintain the competitive pace for so many matches. . “He won the first two games well and almost beat a player who almost beat Tsitsipas in Australia the following week. That is to say of a high level. I think after a match I have no doubt about the level that Rafa can offer. What’s missing is knowing what would happen if you played with a Top one day, won, and played with another tomorrow. He hasn’t yet experienced this competitive pace and we miss it. “I said it would take about 10 games to get to that 100% level.”

Moya remains hopeful that the Mallorcan can return to the level that led him to become one of tennis’ greatest legends. “I am optimistic, but also realistic. Rafa won Roland Garros a year and a half ago. If there was no continuity, it was because of the injuries. Until his injury at Wimbledon, he had had a spectacular year. I don’t know if at this level, but if injuries don’t hinder him, I think he will be a candidate player for the tournaments he plays. “He will need continuity, but if he achieves that, he will return to his level.” he concluded.