Rafael Nadal’s coach makes ‘very competitive’ claim but declares ‘results are secondary’
Rafael Nadal in fighting mood at the Madrid Open
Rafael Nadal’s coaches Marc Lopez and Carlos Moya have shared their thoughts on the great Spaniard’s prospects in what could be his final months in tennis.
Lopez explained Nadal remains “very competitive” and wants to win at “whatever he does”, but proclaimed that “results are secondary” for the tennis great.
Nadal is set to play his third tournament of the clay-court season at the 2024 Italian Open, where play in the men’s main draw started today.
The 37-year-old will face qualifier Zizou Bergs in the opening round on Thursday at the ATP Masters 1000 event he has won on a record 10 occasions.
The former world No 1 made his return from over three months out of action at the Barcelona Open last month, where he reached the second round.
Nadal then made impressive strides at the Madrid Open as he won three matches to progress to the fourth round, before losing to Jiri Lehecka.
The 22-time Grand Slam winner has divulged 2024 will likely be the final year of his illustrious career. After Rome, he could make a highly-anticipated last appearance at the French Open, where he is a 14-time champion.
Prior to Barcelona, Nadal had not featured since Brisbane in January, where he had made his comeback after almost a year on the sidelines.
On a live stream on Twitch during the Madrid Open, Lopez declared that Nadal’s competitive spirit is undiluted as he discussed his latest comeback.
“It’s very competitive (Nadal’s attitude). Whatever he does, he wants to win and be 100%. Be it golf, tennis or Ludo,” said the former doubles world No 3.
“What about Paris? I think that right now he is not at 100%, which is normal, but from the outside we try to tell him that he is better than he thinks.
“I think he is competitive, improving day by day and taking baby steps forward, to reach Roland Garros in the best way, which is the great goal.
“The results are secondary. The important thing is that you feel like a tennis player on the court again.
“The people who love him want him to enjoy himself, not to go to the tournaments just to say goodbye, but to offer a competitive version.
“He is training and he is eager. I hope he can say goodbye as he deserves. He always surprises us and I hope he surprises us once again.”
Moya, who has coached Nadal since 2016, weighed in on the fact that his fellow Mallorcan is likely close to retirement.
“Everything comes. This has to be an opportunity for the people who are going to see him on the court. The magic he has alone on the court, with his presence,” said the former world No 1 and French Open champion on the same stream.
“We must give him the tribute he deserves. Many people do not know him personally, but they have welcomed him as their own family. It’s as if they ate with them in their homes.
“You have to enjoy the time you have left on the track, value it, and know that repeating something like this is very difficult to happen.
“The adrenaline that he is feeling these days, that will not be felt again and he is enjoying it. That’s something you miss when you’re not active.”