Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal went to battle numerous times on the ATP Tour throughout their esteemed careers.
Nadal, a 14-time French Open champion, and Murray, a two-time Wimbledon champion, clashed at all levels, from an ATP 500 tournament in Rotterdam to French Open semi-finals.
One of Nadal’s former coaches, Francisco Roig, has taken over head coaching duties for British star Emma Raducanu.
The pair have begun their partnership after a period of consistently good form under Mark Petchey.
Back in 2018, while Roig was still working with Nadal, the coach commented on Andy Murray’s chances against Nadal heading into every match they played.
Francisco Roig said a match between Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray ‘is always 50-50’
Rafael Nadal and Francisco Roig worked together for 18 years on the ATP Tour. The pair began working together in 2005 and parted ways at the start of 2023.
Roig, who will oversee Emma Raducanu’s preparations for her match against Aryna Sabalenka at the Cincinnati Open, discussed the ‘Big Four’ during an interview with the International Business Times in 2018.
During the interview, Roig conveyed a level of respect for Andy Murray, noting the Brit’s ability to quell Nadal.
Roig said: “Of the ‘Big Four’, maybe it’s Murray who has fallen a step behind,” Roig said.
“But falling a step behind means nothing; I don’t know how he’s playing right this moment. If he’s recovered physically, he’s obviously a threat to Rafa’s What chance Emma Raducanu’s new coach once gave to Andy Murray whenever he played Rafael Nadal defence.
“A match between Rafa and Murray is always 50-50.”
Nadal and Murray played a total of 24 times on the ATP Tour, with one player dominating the match-up.
Andy Murray’s record against Rafael Nadal
Despite Francisco Roig’s endearing endorsement of Andy Murray, the Brit had a difficult time against Rafael Nadal throughout his career.
In fact, Murray only won seven of their 24 meetings between 2007 and 2016.
The pair first met at the 2007 Australian Open, where Nadal won a marathon five-set match. The Spaniard would go on to win their next four matches, before Murray responded by winning their matches at the 2008 US Open and 2009 Rotterdam Open.
Nadal then won their next matches in 2009, in Indian Wells and Monte-Carlo. Murray won their match at the 2010 Australian Open, before Nadal went on a five-match unbeaten run against the Brit.
Nadal and Murray split their final eight matches, winning four apiece. The Briton had the last laugh, defeating Nadal on his favourite surface at the 2016 Madrid Open.
