Carlos Moya fires back on idea of Rafael Nadal being 'a slave to tennis' as mentioned in Carlos Alcaraz documentary

The newest Netflix documentary focused on Spanish tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz sparked some controversy, as it was insinuated that retried compatriot Rafael Nadal was 'a slave to tennis'. However, Carlos Moya spoke out against the notion, stating Nadal had other interests besides tennis.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion retired at the 2024 Davis Cup in Malaga, flanked by home fans and loved ones. Nadal dealt with several injuries during the final two years of his career, causing the 38-year old to announce his retirement at the start of the 2024 season.

As seen in the Alcaraz documentary, the young Spaniard was faced with the difficulty of navigating a normal life as a 21-year old while dealing with the challenges of success as a professional tennis player. This led to comparisons between Nadal and Alcaraz, with the idea of Nadal being 'a slave to tennis' projected at several points during the documentary.

"Rafa was not a slave to tennis," said Moya. "I know he had his hobbies, I know he enjoyed his free time."

Moya served as Nadal's coach at several points during the Spaniard's career, in addition to being the Spaniard's uncle. Moya stated that while the former World No.1 did not "attend many events, or Formula One races" as Alcaraz does, Nadal still had "a lot of life" beyond just tennis.

"It's not possible to achieve what he has achieved without discipline and hard work," said Moya on Alcaraz's current success. "He's living in the moment, has already won four Slams, which we sometimes forget. He deserves it."