rafael nadal carlos moya
Rafael Nadal has appointed Carlos Moya as part of his coaching staff for the 2017 season getty

Rafael Nadal has added fellow countryman Carlos Moya to his coaching team as he aims to get back to the top of the ATP tennis rankings. Moya, a former world number one who won the 1998 French Open, was the coach of rising star Milos Roanic, but has ended his association to join Nadal.

With Moya's addition, every member of the big four has teamed up with a former world number one. Andy Murray is coached by Ivan Lendl, while Roger Federer had teamed up with Stefan Edberg. Serbian Novak Djokovic was with German legend Boris Becker, who he recently ended his association with after three years.

"I am very excited to announce that Carlos will join my team immediately and will be working together with together with Toni and Francis Roig. To have someone like Carlos who is not only a friend but also a very important person in my career is something special. He will be next to me on my practice and competition. At the same time he will also join the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar working with Toni and the rest of technical team," Nadal said as quoted by the Guardian.

Moya has coaching experience and has played a big part in the rise of Raonic on the world stage. He helped the Canadian improve his game that saw him get to the number three position in the Emirates ATP rankings.

Meanwhile, Moya said, "Toni Nadal called me and to be honest it was great to receive that call. To be able to help Rafa is something special for me and I am sure that together with Toni, Francisco and the rest of the team we have a common project. Rafa is a special player and above all a great person and friend on which I have a lot of trust and confidence that will be able to continue winning important titles."

The 14-time Grand Slam winner is expected to return to singles action at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, which takes place later this month before moving on to the Brisbane International, which will be his first ATP tournament of the 2017 season.