“Best Thing Was to Stop”: Coach Backs Rafael Nadal’s Decision to Withdraw From US Open 2021

World No.4 Rafael Nadal recently announced that he will not be playing at the US Open 2021. Moreover, he decided to end his 2021 season with immediate effect as he wants some time to recover from his foot injury. This is a heartbreaking moment for his fans as they will now be watching him in the 2022 season only.

In an exclusive interview to the Onda Cero, Rafael Nadal’s coach Carlos Moya talked about the foot injury of Rafa. He explained that on clay, the foot injury doesn’t affect much but on the hard-court, one just can’t play with it.

Carlos Moyá sobre Nadal en @ElTransistorOC: “Lo mejor era parar, descansar el pie y llegar frescos a 2022”https://t.co/jI7hvAgCg9

— Onda Cero (@OndaCero_es) August 20, 2021

“It’s been a while since it wasn’t right. On clay it helps minimize discomfort but in cement that is what it touches now is worse. They are already pains. It was something that was known to happen and unfortunately Rafa is not going to be seen for the rest of the year,” said Moya in the interview.

He stated that Rafa made a good decision to end his 2021 season in order to give himself some rest. He believes that after recovering from the injury, the Spaniard can start fresh after being fully fit next year.

“The best thing was to stop, rest your foot and refresh your head and ideas to do good workouts and get fresh to 2022. There were days when the lame training ended and the next day it was fine. It is not known where this injury comes from. There is a diagnosis but it is not clear which is the best treatment,” added the coach.

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Carlos Moya discloses the main objective of Rafael Nadal ahead of the 2022 season

In the same interview, Moya also highlighted Rafa’s primary aim ahead of the 2022 season. He emphasised that the 20-time Grand Slam champion will try to first recover his foot injury and then from some head sensations which have been troubling him lately.

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates during a match against Jack Sock of the United States (not pictured) during the Citi Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports

“Rafa’s main objective is to recover sensations in the foot and head, because stumbling throughout the year has not helped him. He started with back pain in Australia, he has played only seven events this year… That’s why you don’t have to look at what’s happening on the circuit and concentrate on yourself,” concluded the former Spanish player.

Fans expect Rafael Nadal to recover quickly and make an incredible comeback on the court. Will he be able to finish inside the top 10 ATP rankings at the end of the year?

Also Read: “Such a Rare Illness”: Doctor Describes Rafael Nadal’s Foot Syndrome Causing US Open 2021 Withdrawal

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