"I don't think paternity will induce Nadal to stop playing" - Moya
ATP
With Rafael Nadal about to become a father, many have raised questions about his future contributions to the sport.
For coach Carlos Moya, however, the Spaniard will continue to be the great Nadal we all know and love. With both Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray all already becoming fathers, Spain's Rafa Nadal is the only one of the 'Big Four' yet to complete the set and start a family.
That is soon to be corrected, though, with the Majorcan expecting to become a dad for the first time in the coming weeks and months.
While this life-changing event will understandably draw his attention away from tennis, therefore inevitably affecting his level, according to coach Carlos Moya, this will not affect Nadal's overall love and, therefore, contribution to the sport he loves.
Even with a child in tow, the coach believes that Nadal has what it takes to compete on tour at the highest level.
"In my day hardly anyone travelled with their children, but it is also true that players retired at 30-32 and then started families. Now there are many tennis players who travel with their children in tow."
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Going on to predict how fatherhood will impact the 22-time Grand Slam champion, Moya explained why having a child will motivate him to play even better.
"I don't think paternity will induce Rafael Nadal to stop playing, on the contrary it will be an extra motivation to keep winning. Rafa loves being with his family and he loves children, so he will miss them when he is around the world."
We are yet to find out how fatherhood will affect the man from Manacor, and whether he will follow in the footsteps of many other greats and seek to spend more time with his family away from the tennis circuit.
