Who can forget the epic glory that Rafael Nadal achieved at the French Open 2020? It was his 20th Grand Slam title and therefore was a special moment for the Spaniard. However, there was a recent discussion surrounding Rafa’s mindset before the final of the Roland Garros against Novak Djokovic.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
The roof was closed for the final given the weather. Some experts were claiming that Nadal might thus face difficulties in the match. There was a rumor that when his coaches, Carlos Moya and Francisco Roig, told him about the fact, he reacted instinctively by saying he didn’t care. And even though it was an indoors final, he believed he could win the match.
However, in a recent interview, coach Moya revealed that such a conversation never took place. He disclosed what actually took place before the final match.
Carlos Moya : "Jamais, Rafa ne m'avait dit une chose pareille avant un match ! Il savait qu'il ne faillirait pas. Nadal est une personne tellement humble. Ce n'était pas de l'arrogance, c'était une sensation de confiance, de sécurité."
Quand ses entraîneurs Moya et Roig lui apprennent que la finale de Roland-Garros contre Djokovic va se jouer avec le toit fermé, Rafael Nadal hausse les épaules : "Ça m'est égal, ça ne change rien, je vais gagner ce match" lequipe.fr/Tennis/Article…
“Rafa had never told me such a thing before a match! He knew he wouldn’t fail,” said Carlos Moya.
There was definitely a mutual understanding between Nadal and his coach. Moya emphasized that the Spaniard would not need to tell him anything like that.
Read More: Rafael Nadal reflects back on his first French Open title as a 19-year-old
“A humble person”- Coach Moya on Rafael Nadal
Getty
Rafael Nadal of Spain hugs the Musketeers’ Cup as he celebrates victory following the men’s singles final against Dominic Thiem of Austria during day fifteen of the 2018 French Open at Roland Garros on June 10, 2018, in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Moya further said that there was not even a bit of arrogance in the 20-time Grand Slam champion.
“Nadal is such a humble person. It wasn’t arrogance, it was a feeling of confidence, of security,” added the coach.
It became quite clear that according to Moya, Nadal was not at all afraid of facing Djokovic in a closed roof match. He moreover made it public that all these discussions going on were baseless and Rafa never discussed anything of the nature.
Rafael Nadal will begin his 2021 campaign at the Australian Open 2021 and will be eyeing his 21st Grand Slam title in 2021. Will he be able to surpass Roger Federer’s Grand Slam tally in Melbourne?
Also Read: Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal to break Roger Federer’s record in 2021