“It’s not his last match in Paris” Coach Carlos Moya backs Rafael Nadal to win against Novak Djokovic


“It’s not his last match in Paris” Coach Carlos Moya backs Rafael Nadal to win against Novak Djokovic

Carlos Moya, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic will be taking on World No. 5 Rafael Nadal in arguably the biggest match of the season. The two legends of the sport will be clashing for the 59th time in their careers, extending their record of the most clashes on the men’s side. Novak is the defending champion at the 2022 French Open while Nadal is a 13-time champion of the Grand Slam and it is surely a heavyweight clash.

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Novak and Rafa have had contrasting seasons so far. The Serbian was denied entry into Australia and had to see Rafa win the 2022 Australian Open, his record-breaking 21st career Grand Slam. Nadal went on to have a 20-0 start before facing his first defeat to a stress fracture in his rib and missed the start of the claycourt season.

At the same time when Novak became a Tour regular and picked up form coming into the Grand Slam as he is now on an 8-match unbeaten streak where he hasn’t dropped a single set while Nadal comes into the match with a 5-set win over Felix Auger-Aliassime making the Canadian youngster just the third man after Djokovic and John Isner to take Rafa to 5-sets in the French Open. All three of them lost to Rafa however.

“Good, we believe. He’s come through four matches; one of them was tough. He’s come through adversity. I always prefer him to have spent as little time as possible on court, but this time matches with complications could help him. Rafa normally recovers well from these marathons, especially on clay. There aren’t normally any problems. I don’t think it’ll be a handicap. He is rested and fresh. Everything’s fine,” said Rafa’s coach Carlos Moya, on Nadal’s fitness after the 4.5-hour match against Felix, speaking with the ATP Tour.

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Carlos Moya discusses Rafael Nadal’s preparations ahead of the clash with Novak Djokovic

Carlos Moya and Rafael Nadal
Carlos Moya and Rafael Nadal

With Djokovic being one of the fiercest rivals of Nadal, Moya knows the importance of the match and knowing that the two players had pole apart preparations coming into the tournament, he is aware of how the match can go. But the Spaniard continues to back his compatriot and pupil for the big clash and justified as well why he thinks so.

“No. For me, on clay Rafa is always favourite, even when he retires (laughs). Of course, I’m part of the team and it’s difficult for me not to be biased. We always expect the best of Nadal and I think he’ll be at his best tomorrow so that he can win. It’s a very tough match, but we believe Rafa is ready. You have to play a high level of tennis, more than just tactics.

“It will go well if Rafa competes like he did in the last three games of the match against Auger-Aliassime. You have to maintain that intensity throughout to have chances against an opponent like Djokovic. Today we wanted him to move a bit — to sweat and little more. They know each other very well. The most important thing is that he is aware that he has to play a good match and that he strikes the ball well. Everything else will follow.

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“He’s playing well and confidently. It’s Djokovic, but Nadal is on our team. I’m always confident Rafa has another rabbit in a hat he can pull out at the last minute. An ace up his sleeve. (On being asked if the team watched last year’s match)Yes, of course. I’ve watched the 2022 and 2021 matches to prepare for today’s training, thinking about what we’ll do tomorrow. Which things unsettle him, which things can hurt him,” said Moya.

Moya on the match being scheduled in night despite Rafa’s request for a day match

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal
Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal

Nadal had earlier made a request to have his match against Djokovic being played out in the day session while Novak wished for a night session match. The officials were in a fix and eventually scheduled it as the final match of the day on the Phillipe-Chatrier, a decision that did not impress Moya.

“Every match is a separate story. Last year we came here having won the final in Rome, and ended up losing. In 2020 we arrived in a different situation and he came through. I don’t think what happened in 2021 has any impact on Tuesday. That’s the reality. We never know what will happen in one year. It’s clear that he’s playing a match where there’s a risk of losing. I think he is saying that more in that sense, but I’m confident and I hope it’s not his last match in Paris.

“The conditions are much livelier during the day, the ball bounces higher and Rafa’s game is more dangerous. Two years ago they played under the roof, it was cold and at night. It was a close atmosphere and he played an amazing game. The preference was to play in the day, but it doesn’t matter; it’ll be at night and we’ll try and win.

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“Sometimes he laughs at me. It’s the way I am, the way I approach life. That’s not going to change. And being with him, my perspective is more realistic than optimistic. I have complete confidence in Rafa. I’m optimistic and positive in life in general, but in his case, I’m realistic,” concluded Moya.

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