Rafael Nadal still has the desire to compete but is limited by his physical condition, feels Andy Murray's mother Judy
Rafael Nadal might still have the desire in him to compete at the highest level of the game but his comeback is a matter of physical limitations, believes Andy Murray's mother Judy.
Judy Murray is one of the most influential tennis coaches in the game right now. She has been observing Nadal for a long time given that he came through the ranks at the same time as her son.
During a recent interview with CLAY, the Brit admitted that she saw a lot of similarities in her son and the 22-time Grand Slam champion. She specifically mentioned Nadal's love for the game and the way he is focused on what he wants.
"I’ve known Rafa since he was 11 years old. I first saw him in an under-12 event in France when he played against Jamie, my older son," she said.
"I’ve known him all that time and I’ve just known him as an incredible competitor, incredible fighter. Loves the game. He is very similar to [Andy Murray], very focused about what he wants."
When asked if Rafael Nadal was close to the end of his career, the 63-year-old stated that she did not think it was time just yet. Judy Murray believes the Mallorcan can still perform at a high level and that the desire to keep winning hadn't deserted him yet.
At the same time, however, she also pointed to Nadal's advanced age. She remarked that it was inevitable that the body would start becoming an issue for any player with time, regardless of how good they were technically.
"Still have that desire to go out there and compete, but at the end of the day you are relying on your body to be able to perform," she said. "I don’t have knowledge of his body. I’m sure the desire would be there and if he wants to do it, I´m sure he will continue to perform in a high level. But as you get older, if your body doesn’t work, you don’t work."
"You have to learn to love the pain of the struggle, of the battle" - Andy Murray's mother Judy on what the Scot 'always' tells her
Judy Murray also touched on the ups and downs of her son Andy Murray's career. She recalled that the Brit was unlucky to suffer a hip injury in 2017, just when he was playing the "best tennis" of his life.
However, Andy Murray never stopped believing that he could make a comeback. Judy stated that she was in awe of the resilience he displayed by putting himself through "so much" to get back to the tour at the highest level.
"When [Andy Murray] ogot the hip injury, he was the number one in the world. He was playing the best tennis of his life. Really unlucky. It was in the French Open 2017 in the semi final against Wawrinka. That ended up with a few surgeries," she said.
"Probably that cost him most of the next three years before the real comeback," she added. "He never stopped believing he could do it. He put himself through so much in terms of surgery, rehab, recovery, to get back on the tour with the level he wanted to play at. His resilience is really second to none."
Judy Murray also observed the former World No. 1's performance at the Qatar Open a few weeks back, where he made the final after saving multiple match points in the previous rounds. She declared that her son hasn't lost any of the love or passion he has for the game.
She also revealed how Andy Murray always tells her it is important to learn to "love the pain of the struggle." This is a character trait that makes him an exemplary role model for the younger generations, according to Judy.
"When I watch [Andy Murray] hthis in week in Doha moving really well, playing spectacular I think in the behind the scenes. Everything he goes through on a daily basis to give himself a chance, at almost 36 to get back. He hasn’t lost the love for the game, the passion for the fight," she said.
"He always says: 'You have to learn to love the pain of the struggle, of the battle.' He has four children now. Is remarkable what he continues to achieve. He is an example to the younger players. Such a role model," she added.