Coach Carlos Moya acknowledged that Rafael Nadal has had some great moments on the pitch this year, but also noted that there have been difficult times as well.
Nadal, 36, started the season winning his first 20 games and winning titles at the Melbourne Summer Set, Australian Open and Acapulco. Then, Nadal injured his ribs at the Indian Wells Masters and missed the start of the clay-court season.
Just as Nadal returned to action, he started having problems with his foot again. Still, Nadal managed to win a record 14th title at Roland Garros.
Then Nadal made the Wimbledon semi-final, where he was forced to surprise Nick Kyrgios with an abdominal injury. “It’s been a perfect year, but one that has been full of incidents.
When he played, his level was spectacular, especially in the important moments. But it’s true that there were incidents preventing him from having the continuity he would have liked.
We must not forget one thing: he is a 36-year-old player, with a lot of kilometers to his credit. It is normal for the body to start to weaken gradually,” Moya told the ATP Tour website.
Carlos Moya regarding Rafael Nadal:
Moya on Nadal’s chances of returning to top spot Nadal doesn’t have a single point to defend in the rest of the season and he’s the clear favorite to end the year at number one.
Moya insists that the top ranking is not Nadal’s top priority but noted that they would happily take it if given the opportunity. “To be number one again has a lot of value; to finish the year at the top of the rankings, even more so.
If you look at his schedule, it’s clear that’s not a goal. The most important thing for him is to take care of his body and be well for the Grand Slam. But if it’s in front of him, of course we’ll go,” Moya said.
On Monday, Rafael Nadal suffered a shock loss to Frances Tiafoe at the US Open. If Nadal had reached the final, a return to first place on Monday would have been guaranteed to him.
