Rafael Nadal adds major changes to his game to combat Federer, Djokovic
Tennis star Rafael Nadal has added a few changes to his service technique ahead of the 2019 Australian Open. Speaking on ATP World Tour Website, his coach Carlos Moya told, "We are looking for more damage and for the ball to go a little faster. We had always had the feeling that Rafa's ball was fast in the service, but when it bounced it stopped a bit."
"Now, with a more fluid movement, we want the ball to bounce and not lose all that speed." Rafa has been working on this with his coach Carlos Moya and Francis Roig throughout the preseason in order to combat with the likes of Federer, Djokovic in the 2019 season.
After his 2018 season came to an end prematurely due to injuries, Nadal would be looking to bounce back this season and regain his world number one spot from Djokovic.
Both Federer and Djokovic are the favourites for this year's Australian Open title with the pair winning all but one of this decades titles at the Melbourne Park.
Nadal has not won the Australian Open since 2009 and is looking to become the first man since Rod Laver to have won all the Grand Slams at least once. If there's one weak point in Rafa's game, then it is definitely his service but coach Francis Roig is confident that the change in Rafa's serving motion will surely give him an added advantage this season.
"The change is based on three pillars," Roig said.
"The first, that when he starts to execute the swing, he takes his hand for a while longer down, instead of lifting it laterally."
"The second, that at the moment of throwing the ball into the air does not make so much flex. It holds much more the body up, well upright instead of sitting down because it thus loses dynamism.
"And the third, who enters well with the right leg inside the track after falling.
"Besides, with the second serve the parable that makes the ball is now a little different. " Roig said.
Rafa pulled out from the Brisbane Open this year but is ready for the Australian Open 2019.