{"id":38302,"date":"2023-12-22T00:41:42","date_gmt":"2023-12-22T00:41:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/moya-unsure-how-nadal-will-cope-with-grand-slam-demands-the-express-tribune\/"},"modified":"2023-12-22T00:41:42","modified_gmt":"2023-12-22T00:41:42","slug":"moya-unsure-how-nadal-will-cope-with-grand-slam-demands-the-express-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/moya-unsure-how-nadal-will-cope-with-grand-slam-demands-the-express-tribune\/","title":{"rendered":"Moya unsure how Nadal will cope with Grand Slam demands | The Express Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nLONDON:
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Rafa Nadal<\/a> has shown good progress in training since recovering from a hip injury but his coach Carlos Moya still worries about how the former world number one’s body will hold up against the rigours of Grand Slam tennis.<\/p>\n

The 37-year-old suffered a muscle issue at Melbourne Park in January that wiped out his season but will return at Brisbane this month before playing in the Jan. 14-28 Australian Open where he won two of his 22 Grand Slam titles.<\/p>\n

The Spaniard, who had surgery in June, has said 2024 could be his final year on tour and has stepped up training in recent months in order to make a comeback and ensure he finishes his career on court.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“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. “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.”<\/p>\n

Nadal dropped out of the top 100 for the first time in 20 years earlier this season and has slipped to number 668 but is eligible for a protected ranking having been injured and not competing for at least six months.<\/p>\n

However, Moya said Nadal would not be able to avoid strong opponents in the early rounds and would need favourable draws to build up his rhythm.<\/p>\n

“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.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n