There’s been plenty of talk as to whether Rafael Nadal needs to shake things up to get his career back on track. Nadal has suffered plenty of injuries since exploding onto the ATP tour at the turn of the century but this time he hasn’t quite managed to crank through the gears. He may have struggled on quicker surfaces but he always found solace on the red clay, this year however, even that hasn’t offered the Spaniard any joy. No title at Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome, Madrid or Roland Garros for the first time and what’s worse, convincing defeats against Djokovic, Fognini, Murray and Wawrinka at all of these events. The aura has disappeared and opponents now believe they can beat him on clay when before they went out on court just hoping not to be embarrassed.
The big question then is, does Rafa Nadal need to make major changes to how he approaches the game and does that start by moving on from Uncle Toni? Nadal has been asked time and time again about this but he has always deflected all of the blame from Toni’s shoulders onto his own. Family and loyalty have been two important values with which Rafa has grown up; his uncle has been THE key behind everything Nadal has achieved, as he ensured that he played left handed (with everything which that has meant for Nadal’s game) and also put huge emphasis on the mental aspect of the game, an area few have been able match the Mallorcan.
For Nadal to turn his back on his uncle would almost make Rafa feel like he is betraying Toni and also pointing the finger. Perhaps the best solution would be something in between: for Nadal to hire an advisor (such as Djokovic has done with Becker) without shoving Toni out of the way. And then the question is what profile he must seek. The best solution would probably be to call upon someone who is not from Rafa’s inner circle, as Carlos Moya or Carlos Costa are, as they would come with completely fresh ideas and given the inexistence of a friendship or close relation between the two, he would have no qualms about saying certain things to Rafa.
And finally, Nadal needs someone who can help him improve on his weaknesses, and right now his biggest flaw is his serve. Nadal has played for years with the disadvantage of not winning cheap points on his service, as opposed to the likes of Djokovic, Federer or Murray, who have all managed to swerve delicate situations with a big serve. Nadal has always had to rely on masking his weak serve with outstanding movement and groundstrokes but this year both of those strengths have not shone as brightly and Nadal has suffered as a result.
Asked about the possibility of uncle and nephew breaking up their relationship, Toni recently replied: “I think you need to ask Rafael. It’s true that this year he’s going a little down but I’m sure that his comeback will take place soon. Maybe next year if Rafael isn’t playing too well, then he can think about some changes in his game or in his team”.
Everyone has their opinion but only Rafa and Toni can decide between them what is best for Nadal’s career. What’s for sure is that with such a stellar career and difficult 2015, next year will be a massive season for the Spaniard.
