Rafael Nadal will travel to Australia without coach Carlos Moya

The 20-time Major champion will seek the second Australian Open crown in February, celebrating once in Melbourne in 2009 following that epic victory over Roger Federer in five sets.

The Spaniard will battle for the 21st Major trophy without his coach Carlos Moya, who decided to skip the Aussie trip and remain with his family in Spain during these troubled times for the entire planet. Moya wanted to join Nadal in Melbourne at the beginning of February but the Australian authorities wouldn't allow that. Thus, Rafa will enter the first Major of the season without his coach in the box, although they should stay in touch every day.

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Moya became Nadal's coach in 2017 following the retirement of Toni Nadal, and they have won five Major titles since the US Open that year. Carlos led his friend and pupil towards three Roland Garros crowns in the past three seasons and another US Open trophy in 2019.

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"After speaking with Rafa, we have decided that I won't travel to Australia with the team. I intended to be with the team from the beginning of the Australian Open. Still, the Australian government is not authorizing separate traveling and arriving at the start of the tournament.

I will follow the tournament from home and will stay with my family, parents and kids due to the delicate situation that Spain is living with the virus. Best of luck to the teams traveling," Carlos Moya said.