Nadal Retirement
Moya: The privilege of being with Rafa
Coach and good friend displays on his time with Nadal
November 20, 2024
AFP/Getty Photos
Carlos Moya is the longtime coach of Rafael Nadal and a fellow former World No. 1.
By Carlos Moya
I first met Rafa when he was 11 years previous, in Stuttgart. He was taking part in in a match on the Nike Junior Tour, within the under-12 class, and I used to be taking part in within the Masters 1000 in the identical metropolis. I feel that at the moment it was a part of the Tremendous 9 or Masters Sequence class, I can’t bear in mind now. I used to be taking part in with Becker and Rafa got here to the apply the day earlier than with somebody from Nike, who launched him to me. They requested me to play 10 minutes with him, and we knocked up for a bit. That was the primary time we crossed paths. I assumed he was a really shy and well-mannered boy, who barely spoke. Then on court docket he was reworked and his depth was so excessive for somebody of his age.
Later, in 2016, it was such a pleasure to obtain the decision from the group, however first I wished to have a dialog alone with him. He was coming off the again of two seasons the place issues had not gone properly for him, he was 30 years previous and didn’t know what to do going ahead. We sat down to speak at my home and he laid out his targets for me. I did not hesitate within the slightest to just accept as a result of I might see he’d be capable of obtain them. I used to be massively assured and once I noticed his need to attempt to get again to the place he deserved to be, which was on the high and successful Grand Slam titles, I didn’t hesitate to hitch the mission.
With that need, I knew that he’d be completely able to reaching it.
Truthfully, I assumed my new function can be harder as a result of it was an enormous change. We’d been buddies for over 20 years, shared rather a lot collectively, each on and off the court docket, and changing into his coach… I used to be uncertain about the way it may work. It’s true that Rafa may be very well-mannered and respectful, I’ve by no means heard him say a single phrase in opposition to his group or his household. That’s one thing I additionally valued and it helped me when it got here to working with him. I don’t just like the phrase ‘boss’, however generally you make selections or you’ve got conversations that aren’t straightforward and it’s laborious travelling and spending a lot time collectively. I used to be scared that that would erode the friendship aspect of it, nevertheless it wasn’t the case.
Throughout that point, I’d say that nothing shocked me, however I admired a whole lot of issues. I wasn’t in any respect shocked as a result of my expectations had at all times been so excessive with him. However it’s true that you’re at all times amazed together with his capability to evolve and enhance.
Personally, I’m fascinated by the truth that he can play each level as if the earlier one didn’t occur, that’s so laborious to do in tennis. Rafa is ready to put something unhealthy that occurs to 1 aspect and neglect it. That’s one of many keys that permit him to combat for each level, each set, each match; one of many keys which have allowed him to go thus far. The definition of resilience, a phrase that may be very trendy, is Rafa. He has fallen many occasions, significantly with accidents, and he has at all times acquired again up and are available again. All these expertise are unimaginable and so they’d shock me in anybody else I didn’t know, however I do know Rafa… It doesn’t shock me, nevertheless it makes me admire him rather a lot.
Now that every thing is over, I’ve many reminiscences of an unimaginable interval of my life that can by no means be matched. It’s one thing I’ll at all times carry with me. I’m grateful that he thought I might type a part of his group for this journey. I’ve discovered a lot, I’ve had the possibility to spend eight years with one of many greats within the historical past of this sport and my reminiscences of it are fantastic.
After all, there can be issues I’ll miss, however they’re issues I’m grateful for. Having loved all that point with a participant like him, with an individual like him, all of the experiences we’ve had along with the group…
I’m certain there’ll be moments once I’ll look again and really feel nostalgia, however I at all times take a look at new beginnings as a constructive factor. Luckily, I’ve a beautiful household with whom I’ll find a way to spend so much of time. I’m certain I’ll really feel nostalgia, however what I really feel above all is gratitude and appreciation.
*Carlos Moyà was Rafael Nadal’s coach from 2017 to 2024