Rafael Nadal made significant changes in his coaching team ahead of the new season. A 22-time Major champion parted ways with Francisco Roig after 18 years. A couple of days later, Rafa added the Argentine Gustavo Marcaccio to his squad, with the 45-year-old forming a trio with Carlos Moya and Marc Lopez. Marcaccio has been working at Rafa Nadal Academy since 2021. Previously, he pushed Rafa’s friend Juan Monaco into top-10 and worked with Guido Pella, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Maximo Gonzalez. Nadal wrote history books in 2022, clinching two Major titles, securing 900 consecutive top-10 weeks and finishing in the top-2 as the oldest player since the start of the ATP ranking. Despite injuries and setbacks, Rafa had a massive chance to become world no. 1 after the US Open, missing it and finishing the season behind Carlos Alcaraz. Nadal missed the second part of the 2021 season and made a perfect start to the one behind us.
Rafael Nadal added a new member to his coaching staff.
The veteran conquered the Australian Open and went 20-0 before losing the Indian Wells final. Fracturing his rib in the desert, Rafa skipped Monte Carlo and Barcelona and struggled in Madrid and Rome. With foot pain bothering him again, the Spaniard needed injections ahead of every match at Roland Garros. However, the king of clay produced his magic and lifted his 14th trophy in the French capital. Nadal reached the Wimbledon semi-final, but it turned out to be the season’s last notable result. Rafa experienced a seven-millimeter abdominal muscle tear, playing only nine matches by the end of the season and missing a chance to fight for the ATP throne. The Spaniard skipped Canada and suffered early losses in Cincinnati and the US Open.
Nadal did not play singles matches for two months, becoming a father in October and working on the practice court. Rafa picked the Paris Masters as the return event, building the advantage against Tommy Paul in the second round before falling in three sets. Nadal entered his 11th ATP Finals and fell to Taylor Fritz and Felix Auger-Aliassime. With no form or matches in his legs, Rafa lost four consecutive encounters for the first time since the end of 2009! The Spaniard ended the losing streak with a 7-5, 7-5 win over Casper Ruud in the last official match of the season. Rafa and Casper embraced a trip to Latin America in November and December, having great fun and starting preparations for 2023. Nadal will kick off the new season at the inaugural United Cup, facing Nick Kyrgios and Cameron Norrie in his first matches in 2023.
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