Rafael Nadal of Spain (right) serves as coach Carlos Moya (left) looks on during a practice session ahead of the Australia Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 18, 2020. (Getty Images)
Carlos Moya was a former World No.1 and French Open winner, who currently coaches Rafael Nadal.
The two Spaniards share a long history, dating back to the day when Nadal used to be just a teenager.
The special bond between the two is made even more evident in a throwback video made by Trans World Sport back in 2003 featuring a 16-year-old Nadal and Moya in their hometown Mallorca.
In the video, Moya explains why Nadal would go on to become a potential future star.
“He’s already a very complete player and he’s improving all the time. I mean he’s good enough right now but he has a fantastic future ahead of him.
“He’s aggressive, he has a solid game and he’s very ambitious and with the desire he has, well he’s already a tough player to face and one day he could be almost unbeatable.”
Moya first met Nadal when he was just an 8-year-old and the two later went on to become regular practice partners.
The video also shows a young Nadal unwilling to compare himself with Moya despite knowing his fellow islander and being comfortable in his company.
“I don’t think you can make any comparisons between us. He’s been number one in the world whereas I’m still pretty young. I’m only 16 and I’ve still got everything to do.
“I may be playing well at the moment and things may be looking good for me but the truth is there are plenty of people out there who started their careers well only to fall away later.
“So, you can’t really make comparisons with someone like Moya. It’s a tough job I’ve got ahead of me.”
Now a member of Nadal’s coaching team, Moya works as the former’s head coach. The pair have gone on to win 3 French Opens, 2 US Opens and 7 ATP Masters 1000 titles.
Nadal has been excellent over the years and the Spaniard looks in great shape at the moment. The tennis season might be curtailed due to the coronavirus, but the Spaniard could end the season with more trophies.
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