Rafael Nadal of Spain (left) listens to coach Francis Roig in his men's singles match against David Goffin of Belgium at the ATP Cup tennis tournament in Sydney on January 10, 2020. (Getty Images)
Francisco Roig, former coach of Nadal, opined that the tennis break will not help the latter both mentally and physically
Former Spanish tennis player Francisco Roig recently revealed that the tennis break due to coronavirus crisis will not help Rafael Nadal.
Roig, Nadal’s former coach, gave his verdict on how the enforced tennis break by the ATP will have an effect on the 19-time Grand Slam winner. According to Roig, the suspension of tennis was not in any way beneficial to Nadal – both mentally and physically.
When asked how the break would affect Nadal’s game during a program called ‘A Diario’ presented by Radio Marca journalist David Sanchez, Roig gave his honest review.
“You have to take into account that this break does not suit your body. On a physical level, inactivity does not help you with your elbow and shoulder. This break does not benefit you either mentally or physically, but I hope that help you play more,” Roig opined.
Meanwhile, Roig was hired by Nadal one and a half-decades ago in 2005. The Barcelona man sometimes acts as an alternate coach or a second coach to the Spaniard and has played a huge role in his success over the years.
Roig did not completely ward off the possibility of tennis resuming soon despite the world still fighting the pandemic coronavirus.
He said that he just remained hopeful tennis would return soon though it would be a little complicated given the current circumstances.
“There are tennis players who have said that it would not make much sense to play without an audience. At Roland Garros they want to do the tournament anyway, hopefully, tennis will return soon, but it seems complicated,” he explained.
He later added that there would be some normality by January next year, with the start of the Australian Open but everyone will have to wait and watch.
“We would sign that from January of next year, with the Australian Open, there will be some normality. It will be complicated and surely with less capacity. We will have to wait,” Roig added.
A retired professional, Roig primarily featured as a doubles player, winning 9 ATP World Tour titles and reaching 12 more finals.
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