Nadal’s coach Carlos Moya follows Federer and Isner in not going to the Australian Open to stay with his family

Rafael Nadal will not have the luxury or having his coach Carlos Moya with him in Australia

13 January 2021

Tennis Australia has made a monumental effort to organize the first slam of the year. However, the organization had to follow some strict protocols because of the global pandemic. That means that the tennis players and their staff will have to stay at least 5 weeks away from their family if they want to play the Australian Open.

According to reports, this was the main reason why Roger Federer decided to skip the Australian Open. John Isner made the same decision as he clearly stated that he didn’t want to be separated from his wife and his 2 children for so much time. Now it is Rafael Nadal’s coach Carlos Moya to choose not to follow the King of Clay Down Under.

Carlos released the following statement on Twitter:

“After speaking with Rafa, we have decided that I won’t travel to Australia with the team. I will follow the tournament from home and will stay with my family, parents and kids due to the delicate situation that Spain is living with the virus. Best of luck to the team!!”

Nadal’s schedule in Australia

Rafa will start her campaign in Australia from Adelaide, where he will be quarantined and he will play an exhibition alongside Novak Djokovic and Domini Thiem. Then Rafa will head to Melbourne, where he will play the ATP Cup before trying to conquer his 21st slam. Rafa has won the Australian Open only on 1 occasion in 2009.

Rafael Nadal in 2021

Ranked world no.2, the Spaniard played his last match on the 21^st of November 2020 when he capitulated to Daniil Medvedev 3-6 7-6(4) 6-3 in the semifinal in the Nitto ATP Finals (draw).

Roger Federer in 2021

Now ranked no.5, the Swiss played his last match on the 30^th of January 2020 when he was defeated by Novak Djokovic 7-6(1) 6-4 6-3 in the semifinal of the Australian Open (draw).

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer played each other 40 times. Their actual record is 24-16 for Nadal. The last time they fought against each other, Roger Federer won 7-6³ 1-6 6-3 6-4 in the semifinal in London (Wimbledon) in July 2019.

You can see them in action in the following highlights.

John Isner in 2021

Ranked no.25, John played his last match on the 11^th of January when he was overcome by Sebastian Korda 6-3 4-6 6-3 in the quarter in Delray Beach (draw).

Presently, during this year John has a 1-1 win-loss record.