Rafael Nadal's coach in 'mourning' as he shares heartbreaking retirement statement

's coach has admitted he's already in a "period of mourning" after the Spaniard

Carlos Moya has been working with his fellow Spaniard since 2016. He's now struggling to come to terms with the end of his charge's career.

It comes after Nadal confirmed he would retire at next month's Davis Cup Finals.

The 38-year-old has barely played over the last two years while battling injuries. Last week, he announced that he would end his career while representing Spain in the World Cup of men's tennis.

It will be a fitting farewell for Nadal, who will be represented by champions past and present from his home nation. Carlos Alcaraz is also on the team while David Ferrer will be their captain. Feliciano Lopez is the tournament director.

While they will all be sad to see Nadal call time on his career, one retired Spanish player will be hit harder than most. Former world No. 1 Moya has been coaching his compatriot since 2016 and admitted he's already mourning his time as Nadal's mentor.

"I will now have a period of mourning at work because something breaks up with someone like Rafa who we have known since we were children," he told Radioestadio Noche. "The only way to feel something similar would be to train a son."

Moya has been by Nadal's side throughout his difficult injury layoff and admitted the 38-year-old contemplated calling it quits at the French Open earlier this year.

He added: "At Roland Garros, we had a conversation and he asked me if I thought he should retire or hold back a bit.

"I told him not to say anything before, to have a good tournament, not to close himself off and he thought the same. Then what happens happens and we see the team and he is running out of realistic objectives.

"As for his game, the doubts continued. This year we did not see any game in which he gave the performance that he showed us in training."

Nadal had a brutal draw at the French Open, losing to fourth seed and eventual finalist Alexander Zverev in the opening round. He's played two tournaments since - Bastad and the Olympic Games, after which Moya knew his charge was done.

"The final point is the Olympic Games, he has a problem the days before and plays against in the second round. I think that was his last great hope and that's why he decided that it will be his last," the 48-year-old continued.

"After the Olympics he takes a few weeks off and I think that's when he realises that this is going to be his last year."

Nadal still has some time left before ending his glittering career. The former world No. 1 will compete at this week's Six Kings Slam exhibition in Saudi Arabia before his farewell tournament, the Davis Cup Finals. Spain will face the Netherlands on November 19 for a spot in the semi-final.