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Self-Confidence Goes for a Toss for Rafael Nadal as Coach Unveils the Doubts That Scarred the Spaniard

Published 12/18/2023, 5:12 AM EST

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Rafael Nadal‘s comeback to the tennis court might excite his fans very much but coach Carlos Moya seems a little unsure about it. Moya who has been a partner for Nadal in five of his twenty Grand Slam victories, opened up about the fears and challenges concerning the Spanish legend’s return. Nadal had a hip surgery that kept him off-court for five more months after the surgery. Carlos Moya thinks this setback for Nadal impacted his professional career.

Nadal’s surgery was important since this tennis star wanted to bid his last goodbye to the fans on the court. However, for that, Moya had to train Nadal, which seemed quite disappointing and challenging for both of them.

Nadal’s coach Carlos Moya reveals his uncertainty about the Spanish tennis legend’s on-court return post-surgery

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Nadal’s surgery was a complicated one as three officials from overseas came to perform the task. Now Moya revealed how this operation brought challenges for Nadal’s professional tennis journey. Moya said-“Yes. When you go through an operation like this… In the end, entering the operating room is the last straw you hold on to, and I say this from experience, to try to come back and retire on the track. Knowing those risks, he tried it because it was the only way he had if he wanted to return her.” 

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Moya’s comment revealed the indomitable energy Nadal possesses and his dedication to tennis. However, this time he was physically challenged more to return to the court.

Moya also added: “And when we start and we’ve been playing for a month and a half or two, and we see that the progression is very slow… you don’t know if it’s slower than expected or not because it’s the first time we were in a situation like that. But you do see that you have your doubts, and in the player’s head there are also doubts: will the body respond? Will it be able to withstand the loads? There are many questions that arise. It hasn’t been a bed of roses, far from it. It has been a quite twisty and winding road, with many curves.”

Read more: Rafael Nadal’s Coach Details How an Unexpected Complication Nearly Derailed Their Comeback Plans – ‘It Was More Delicate..’

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Nadal’s wish to return after such a complicated surgery is truly commendable. However, it also brought a tough challenge for Moya to ensure that Nadal was physically fit to attempt tournaments. Moya mentioned it because he knows that training and tournaments are two different things.

Carlos Moya opened up about the moments when he felt Nadal could not play tournaments anymore

Nadal’s coach’s revelation about the tennis maestro’s post-surgery health brought more shocking updates to the fans. Moya also said- “I have had them in a certain part of the process, in certain stages. I have had the feeling that it could be the end, without having the option to play again. It has been the most complicated moment I have lived with him.” Moya’s comments expressed that it might have been truly difficult for me as a coach to see Nadal not being able to perform up to the mark.

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Carlos Moya’s comments might dishearten Nadal fans. However, considering Nadal’s indomitable spirit, it won’t be justified to say that this Spanish legend can still turn the timetable and amuse fans with a marvelous comeback.

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Written by:

Upasana Banerjee

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I began my journey as a tennis writer at EssentiallySports after 6.5 years in content creation, including both sports and non-sports topics, gaining wide-ranging expertise. To date, I have contributed more than 600 articles, in both tennis and esports.
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Edited by:

Ananya Giri