Rafael Nadal’s coach Carlos Moya downplayed expectations as the Spaniard is preparing to mark his much-awaited return at the Brisbane International in January to prepare for the Australian Open 2024.
Nadal has been training for more than two months and while he showed great progress on the court, Moya understood that competing at the highest level in a Grand Slam will be completely different.
"Rafa's going to go from training, which he's doing very well, to competing. It's impossible to have the same conditions in training as in a match," Moya said in an interview with the ATP Tour.
"Playing the best of five sets, win, rest, return to court two days later... That's the doubt I have right now, especially for a Grand Slam. But we have time. If the Australian Open started tomorrow, it would be a real fear.”
Moya added that there’s still a month in the commencement of the tournament in Brisbane and Rafa will be in great shape by then.
"There's still a month left, a tournament before in Brisbane, demanding training ... I think all of this will put him in a position to be able to endure it. But now that's my fear."
"I've never been of the thought that Rafa needs rhythm because he's too good for that," Moya said. "But now the situation is different."
It is worth mentioning that Nadal confirmed in an interview earlier this year that the 2024 season will be his last.
The 22-time Grand Slam winner sustained a muscle injury at the Australian Open 2023 which led to surgery in June. He will be returning to the court to compete after almost a year.
It is worth noting that Nadal fell out of 10 rankings for the first time in his 20-year-old illustrious career and is currently ranked World No. 668.
