Australian Open: Carlos Moya out, Marc Lopez in - changes in Rafael Nadal's team
It has been known for weeks thatRafael Nadal will train with Jannik Sinner in the quarantine before the Australian Open. In the Spaniard's coaching team, however, there has been a change: Carlos Moya will not come to Australia.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Jan 13, 2021, 03:49 pm
These days, the tennis team is heading to Australia to put themselves into a two-week quarantine before the tournament series in Melbourne. The majority of the players will fly directly to Melbourne, while the absolute superstars will be accommodated in Adelaide. Last year's finalists of the season’s first major, Novak Djokovic and Dominic Thiem , will sit in the "Super Flyer" from Barcelona to Australia.
And also Rafael Nadal , who is aiming for his second title at the Australian Open starting on February 8th. For this reason, the Spaniard selected an extremely talented training partner for the preparation weeks ago: Jannik Sinner. The second in the world wanted to prepare with the Italian in the first week of quarantine, after which Stan Wawrinka and Diego Schwartzman should join Nadal's training group.
Sinner's coach confirms preparation with Nadal
As the usually well-informed Marca wants to have found out, Nadal should now train with Marc Lopez in the quarantine . The 34-year-old triumphed with the doubles specialist at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, among others, and Lopez is one of Nadal's best friends on the tour. In fact, Lopez will probably replace Carlos Moya, who, after consulting with his protégé, decided not to come to Australia.
In all likelihood, a change of partner will not take place. Sinner's coach Riccardo Piatti confirmed to Supertennis.Tv on Tuesday evening that his protégé would train with Nadal in Australia: "As expected, Jannik will prepare with Rafa." It can be assumed that Marc Lopez, now 38 years old and only listed at position 328 in the double world rankings, as coach for Nadal will also hit one or the other ball.