Moya: Nadal could play until 2022

Carlos Moya believes that Rafa Nadal will be playing for at least another three years, and could even extend his career by five years. In an interview at Acapulco, Nadal’s coach said that he expected Rafa to extend his career until 2022.

“It will be almost impossible to equal the results he had in the past, but on the other side, I am next to a player who won many Grand Slam titles and who was World No. 1. It makes your job easier,” Moya said. “A good coach always needs a good player to do well, and from this point of view with Rafa, it’s easier.

“Me and his team try to transfer him our ideas, we want the best for him. He started well the year and we think that he is back or is on the way to be at his best level that can allow him to compete for everything.

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“This is our goal. I am convinced that Rafa is doing well physically, he is willing and excited. I think that Rafael Nadal will be there for a while.”

Since joining Rafa’s team, Moya has seen his charge reach the finals of the two tournaments he has played: Australian Open and Acapulco. In the former he was defeated by Roger Federer over five sets, in the latter by Sam Querrey in straight sets.

Having joined Nadal’s team following a successful stint with Milos Raonic, Moya accepted that expectations were different when it came to the two players.

“Raonic is in full swing and is trying to find his game,” the Spaniard continued. “The other one is a player who won everything and that has 3-4-5 years left and who did a little bit bad in the last two years.

“Expectations are different, nor more nor less, but are different. The coach needs to suit to the player’s condition and that’s what I am trying to do.”