Former French Open winner Carlos Moya has called Rafael Nadal an ‘impeccable professional’ who always listens to his coaching staff. Now guiding Rafael Nadal, the Spaniard said that he liked to analyze his game like a coach even during his playing days.

Coach Moya marvels at Rafael Nadal’s humility

He said Nadal is better in that respect as he puts a lot of trust in his coaching staff.

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“Especially since we are not up to the level of everything he has achieved during his career. 

We are talking about one of the best players in all of history and if Rafa’s ego were big he wouldn’t listen to us like he does every day,” said coach Moya, marveling at the humility of his star pupil.

Used to watch videos of rivals: Carlos Moya on his playing days

Moya said even during his playing days, he used to analyze his game like a coach.

The Spanish stalwart, who has been coaching the 20-time Grand Slam champion since 2016, said he used to watch videos of his rivals as coaches generally advise and planned his match-time strategies accordingly.

During a chat with Spanish portal Libertad Digital, the 44-year-old was asked what would Carlos Moya the coach advise Carlos Moya the player if the latter were to turn a coach someday.

“In that aspect I already liked to analyze a lot when I was a player. I watched a lot of games, I questioned things and always looked for different strategies within each game.

I already had that part despite the fact that when you are a player you don’t think about being a coach but about your day-to-day,” Moya said.

Moya says player-coach wasn’t fashionable during his days

He said that during his playing days it wasn’t fashionable for former players to turn coaches or mentors.

However, it is very much in fashion now as many yesteryear stars have turned coaches after finishing their careers. The legendary Boris Becker had a successful stint as coach of 17-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic.

The Serb later tied up with former Slam champion Goran Ivanisevic.

Roger Federer also honed his skills and became the champion that he is under the able guidance of former six-time Grand Slam winner Stefan Edberg.

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“Also at that time there was not this fashion to move from one side to the other as there (player to coach) is now. 

But in those days I do think I was already a bit of a coach and always tried to make my own decisions,” the Spaniard said.

He said though he always had a coach and trainer around him, he preferred taking charge of his game.

“I always had my work team, of course, but I liked being quite autonomous,” Moya said.

However, he said he would, perhaps, advise the player in him to “listen more to those around him.”

Moya guided Nadal to his 13th straight French Open title this year.