Saturday 17 December 2016 15:16, UK
Fourteen-time Grand Slam champion Rafa Nadal has announced that former world No 1 Carlos Moya is joining his coaching team for the coming season alongside his uncle Toni Nadal and Francis Roig.
Moya recently ended his coaching ties with Milos Raonic, despite helping the Canadian rise to a career-high world No 3 by the end of the season.
Nadal will begin his new season at a six-man event in Abu Dhabi from December 29 to 31 and admits he is excited by the shake up.
"To have someone like Carlos, who is not only a friend but also a very important person in my career, is something special," Nadal said in a statement
"He will be next to me on my practice and competition."
The Spaniard, without a Grand Slam title since winning the French Open for a ninth time in 2014, has been plagued by injuries and loss of form in the past two years.
However Moya, who will also coach at Nadal's recently inaugurated tennis academy in Mallorca, is determined to get the tennis star back on track.
"To be honest it was great to receive that call," the 40-year-old added. "To be able to help Rafa is something special for me and I am sure that together with Toni, Francis and the rest of the team we have a great common project.
"Rafa is a special player and above all a great person and friend on which I have a lot of trust and confidence that will be able to continue winning important titles."
Nadal, who withdrew from the French Open and missed this year's Wimbledon because of a wrist injury, ended an injury-hit season ninth in the ATP rankings.
"We understand it is the right moment to have him join our team," Toni Nadal admitted.
