Rafael Nadal forced into shock realization by Novak Djokovic after Australian Open Final

Photo/ATP Rafael Nadal’s defeat to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final made him realise he was not at the world No 1’s level, according to Nadal’s coach Carlos Moya. Djokovic played one of the matches of his career to dismiss his great rival 6-3 6-2 6-3. Nadal’s confidence was shaken by the defeat and Moya revealed in an interview with the ATP that the 17-time Grand Slam champion needed convincing to rebuild his confidence. When asked if Nadal suffered from the way he lost to Djokovic, Moya replied: “A little, yes. It's a Grand Slam final. He probably realised that he was not on the same level as Djokovic. My job was also to make him consider what he had done before the final while being clear that the last match was not good. But to make him see that the way he played those first six matches, with the new serve, being more aggressive and pressuring the opponents is the way to lengthen his career and avoid wear and tear. “He managed to do that in Melbourne after five months without matches. Sometimes it's a case of building his self-belief and other times you have to reduce it, although it is unusual that he thinks he is playing incredibly well. It's a case of finding balance.”

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