After a challenging spell in 2015 and 2016, Rafa Nadal found renewed momentum when Carlos Moyá joined the team on 17 December, becoming part of the coaching staff alongside Toni Nadal and Francis Roig. Moyá, a former world number one and Roland Garros champion in 1998, joined quietly, yet his presence signaled a strategic shift aimed at preparing a successor for Toni Nadal. The decision proved timely. Five and a half years into Moyá’s tenure, Nadal has earned eight Grand Slam titles, including five Roland Garros titles, two US Opens, and one Australian Open, underscoring a period of significant achievement and resilience.
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Moyá is a decade older than Nadal and brought a calm, steady presence that helped reinforce the trust and connection Nadal had with his uncle. On the court, Moyá also encouraged a more aggressive style; his presence helped sharpen several strokes, notably the serve and the cross-court backhand. This added aggression translated into more consistent pressure on opponents. As Mats Wilander, the three-time Paris winner and Eurosport commentator, observed, “Nadal is now a better player than he was ten years ago.”
Moyá’s arrival followed two unusually inconsistent years in Manacor’s standout. Nadal had not claimed a Grand Slam title in that span and the year 2015 saw mixed results, with a fourth-place finish at the Australian Open, early exits to Djokovic in Paris, a round of 16 at Roland Garros, a second-round exit at Wimbledon, and a tough loss to Dustin Brown at the US Open. Toni Nadal admitted the mood was worrisome and emphasized the need for changes to rediscover the joy of playing. With victories in Buenos Aires, Stuttgart, and Hamburg, 2016 remained challenging, highlighted by a right ankle injury that forced Nadal to retire before the third round of Roland Garros.
The 2016 season also featured a disappointing early exit at Wimbledon and a first-round loss at the Australian Open, followed by a tougher run at the US Open, Monte Carlo, and Godó. Toni Nadal spoke candidly about potential changes and the implications for Nadal’s career in the broader sports world, noting that any move would be considered if it promised renewed momentum.
Two months after Moyá joined, an Italian publication reported that 2017 might be Nadal’s last season alongside his nephew. “Every year I make fewer decisions; we’re reaching a point where I won’t decide anything anymore,” Moyá reportedly said, signaling a transition period on the horizon.
The first year under Moyá’s guidance proved extraordinary. Nadal reached the Australian Open final, losing to Federer in a grueling five-set battle. He captured Roland Garros and the US Open, along with titles in Monte Carlo, Barcelona, and Beijing. The resurgence seemed complete as Nadal continued to defend his Paris title the following year, reaching the Wimbledon and US Open semi-finals and lifting trophies in Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid, and Beijing. The comeback demonstrated a renewed edge and consistency in the game. By 2019, Nadal again claimed Roland Garros and added a fourth US Open, with Australia and Wimbledon deep runs. He finished the year as world number one. The 2020 season, played under pandemic conditions, saw Nadal win Roland Garros again but his 2021 campaign was marked by injuries. He returned with vigor in 2022, guided by Moyá, reaffirming the collaborative strength of their partnership.