Carlos Moya, one of the key figures in Rafael Nadal’s coaching team, recently opened up about the apprehension he felt before accepting the role of coaching the Spanish legend. The 48-year-old, a longtime friend of Nadal, admitted that he initially hesitated due to fears that their deep bond might be strained by the professional dynamic.

Moya recounted the pivotal moment in 2016 when Nadal, struggling after two challenging seasons, approached him with the idea of joining his coaching staff. “It was such a joy to receive the call from the team,” Moya shared, but he also insisted on having a private conversation with Nadal before committing.

“He was coming off the back of two seasons where things had not gone well for him,” Moya explained. “He was 30 years old and didn’t know what to do going forward. We sat down to talk at my house, and he laid out his goals for me.”

While Moya was confident in Nadal’s ability to return to the top and win more Grand Slam titles, his concerns lay elsewhere. “Honestly, I thought my new role would be more difficult because it was a big change,” he revealed.

The two had been friends for over two decades, sharing moments both on and off the court. Moya feared the dynamics of their relationship could shift under the pressure of a coach-player partnership. “I was doubtful about how it might work,” he admitted, acknowledging the fine balance required to maintain both their friendship and professional relationship.

Fortunately, Moya’s fears proved unfounded as the partnership flourished, contributing to some of Nadal’s most iconic career moments, including Grand Slam victories and a return to the world No. 1 ranking. Their collaboration became a testament to the power of trust and understanding between friends, even in a professional setting.

Rafael Nadal in 2024

At the moment ranked no.154, the Spaniard played his last match on the 19^th of November when he lost to world no.80 Botic Van De Zandschulp 6-4 6-4 in the Rubber 1 of the Davis Cup (draw).

This season the Spaniard has achieved a compiled 12-8 record. Rafael Nadal’s most significant performance of this season was reaching the final in Bastad.