And they trained for 3 year together and yo would say they have nothign in commen ? Okay , I disagree but you are entitled to opinion. Just look at the age, looking at 32 year moya and 20 year old nadal they do look a whole lot different but atthe time Moya was more like nadal. ALso look at the facts, both play such a clay court game which allows pretty good results on hard meaning they are adjustable, gues who learned from whom ?
Cmon, even hairstyle ?
There are just many crucial differences:
-Moya is just smoother. His motion and shots are much more of the "classic" kind than Nadal's. Essentially different techniques. Moya for example looks also more "natural" at the net and have smoother hands. Spaniards don't use to come to the net, but some of them look good when they do (Moya, Ferrero, Robredo, Lopez, etc). Nadal sure can volley but he doesn't look as natural, not only because his shots but because his way of approaching too.
-Moya's backhand has always been a liability. We all have seen him running around his FH, because he just doesn't trust his own BH. On the other side, Nadal's BH is much stronger and becomes a weapon many times. Nadal makes BH shots that are just unseen in Moya's repertoire. In his prime, Moya had a huge FH, but the contrast with his BH was kind of shocking. Nadal is more balanced, can make a weapon of his FH and of his BH.
-Moya's serve was just and plain bigger and better than Nadal's. Moya is a less defensive player, he -at least in his prime- could set up points better than Nadal usually does.
-Their mental game couldn't be more different. Nadal never gives up. Moya is not that kind of player. He has always prone to lose concentration -and even give up the fight- during matches. Moya is more an "inspiration" kind of player: when he's on, he plays big game out of nothing. When he's off, he could lose to anyone.
-Their on court attitude is plain opposite: Moya is a gentleman, always cool. Nadal is a nice guy but he has that "aggresive" attitude, with the fist pumps, jumping, staring and yelling.
These are just some of the main differences. Ok, they are both from Mallorca. They trained together, Moya was a mentor for Nadal and they're close friends. Moya is lefty and plays righty, Nadal is righty and plays lefty. But they are two different kinds of player.
There is a great similarity: Nadal's inside-out forehand is very, very resembling to Moya's. And that was one of Moya's trademark shots. Maybe Moya helped Nadal to improve this shot? Don't know, but I think yes. For sure that shot is something they have in common.
But, the rest... when Nadal appeared I thought he was to be a improved Moya, but through time I've realized how essentially different they really are. You can't even compare.
