Rafael Nadal’s coach sends mixed messages as Spaniard battles injury ahead of French Open

Rafael Nadal’s coach Carlos Moya has discussed their comeback plans as the injured Spaniard hopes to play the French Open.

Rafael Nadal’s coach has given some mixed messages about the 36-year-old’s return from injury. The Spaniard has not played a match since January and is hoping to be ready in time for the French Open. His participation is still up in the air with coach Carlos Moya saying he would “try” to be ready but Moya also backed his charge to win the title.

Nadal is continuing his comeback from a psoas injury he sustained at the Australian Open, recently changing his treatment plan with the hopes of playing in Rome and Roland Garros. Following a bleak update, there appear to be positive signs as the world No 14 has been posting photos from his training sessions.

While the 22-time Grand Slam champion has been tight-lipped about a comeback date, his uncle Toni believes he will be back “soon”. And his coach has been giving some mixed messages, doubting his French Open participation while also backing him to lift the trophy for the 15th time.

“Currently, we work more or less an hour and a half a day and continue to improve day by day,” retired pro-turned-coach Moya told L’Equipe. “It is not even a matter of whether you are an optimist or a pessimist, just that you observe the progress every day.”