Rafael Nadal’s agent reveals the one man tennis star depends on 24 hours a day
RAFAEL NADAL is dependent on physio Rafael Maymo to get his body ready for tournaments.
Nadal says he needed 'something special' to beat Djokovic
That is the revelation from Nadal’s agent Carlos Costa, who says Maymo looks after the player “24 hours a day”.
Nadal has won a staggering 17 Grand Slams over a career that spans almost two decades.
The Spaniard has endured his fair share of injury set-backs during that time too.
He twice withdrew from Grand Slams last year and was forced to end his season early with an ankle problem.
In the hours of treatment, Rafa is relaxed
Rafael Nadal reached the Australian Open final this year before being beaten in three sets by Novak Djokovic.
And the Spaniard’s agent has issued glowing praise for Maymo’s commitment to the cause.
“He’s in the shadow of Rafa 24 hours a day, both professionally and personally," Costa told the ATP.
“He is his guardian, the one who watches him so that he is ready, prepared, eating what he has to eat.
“And he is the one who knows Nadal the most because he spends many hours with him.
"In the hours of treatment, Rafa is relaxed and has many conversations about how he feels, and not only as a tennis player, but also as a person.
“For that reason, he is not a simple physiotherapist for Nadal.”
Maymo started working with Nadal in 2006 and watched the tennis star claim numerous titles down the years.
Nadal says he will 'keep fighting' after Australian Open loss
Nadal’s main injury issue during his career has been his knees, which have required surgery in the past.
Now age 32, Nadal is still going strong and is three majors off Roger Federer’s men’s record of 20 Grand Slam titles.
Nadal is favourite heading into the French Open once again this year.
And Costa revealed how Maymo manages to relax Nadal when he needs it most.
“He's a funny guy who likes to talk (with Nadal),” Costa added.
“And he takes conversations to the limit because he's extremist in a lot of things!
"But he is a vital figure within the team and contributes many things.”