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Madrid Open: Rafael Nadal’s Coach Drops Reassuring Update for Fans As Alex De Minaur Awaits the Kill

Published 04/27/2024, 12:43 AM EDT

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via Reuters

Rafael Nadal eyes revenge at the Madrid Open against Alex de Minaur, seeking to overturn his Barcelona defeat. While the Barcelona scars are fresh, Nadal’s coach, Carlos Moya has issued a calming balm for fans. Can the “King of Clay” reclaim his throne, or will De Minaur pull off another upset?

Recently, in a conversation with Madrid’s Open Twitch channel, the 22-time Grand Slam Champion’s coach highlighted that the Aussie should be prepared for a different Nadal this time. He stated, “It will be a different match from Barcelona. There he did not see him prepared against a rival like Alex. I think tomorrow will be a little different.”

After Rafa’s first-round victory, Mayo is confident that the Spaniard will be more competitive against the 25-year-old than he was in Barcelona. Last time when both of them went against each other, Minaur achieved a clear victory against him, but this time is going to be different as the former world number one is fitter physically, with more practice.

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“Without being ideal, I think we will see Rafa who has spent 8 days and that every minute he spends on the track is a minute of improvement. He has spent more hours on the track, he is now more fit. I think that tomorrow we can have a more competitive game than the other day,” Moya added.

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While achieving victory is quite a subject, Mayo shared that he was quite confident in the way things have evolved since the last event. Not only that, but the 37-year-old tennis legend, after his first-round victory, talked about how he is focused on trying to do better every day. “Just trying to enjoy every moment. Tomorrow, one more day of practice here, and then after tomorrow, on court again. That makes me feel great.”

Subsequently, a few months ago, the Spaniard’s coach opened up about Nadal’s dedication to the game. Even though the Madrid Open is just the 22-time Grand Slam Champion’s third tournament this year, he is trying to play a comeback run, and stay on the court longer.

When Mayo emphasized Nadal’s determination

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Before making his much-anticipated return, Nadal’s coach disclosed the many difficulties the 37-year-old had encountered in the previous 12 months, expressing amazement at his steadfast endurance and capacity to perform at his peak. Mayo said, “No matter how much you know him, Rafa surprises you on a daily basis. It is the ability that he has for a comeback, to continue giving everything, to do his best on the track, and to be competitive again,” in an interview with Eurosport.

Having been a coach since 2016, the 47-year-old Spanish man has seen directly how Nadal has developed. Even in the face of hardship, Rafael Nadal always made the right decision, exhibiting fortitude and conquering challenges with unmatched tenacity. Nevertheless, what are your thoughts on Nadal’s facing Minaur? Do let us know in the comment section below.

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Written by:

Pratishtha Prakash

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Pratishtha Prakash, tennis writer and resident analyst at EssentiallySports isn't just a sports journalist; she's a storyteller who found her true calling in tennis content. It is something she seamlessly integrates into both her professional and personal realms. Having professional certifications in content and digital marketing, Pratishtha has made it a habit to hone her skills as a quality journalist.
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Edited by:

Deepanshi Bajaj