Family life means a lot to Rafael Nadal. One uncle coaches him, another – football’s Beast of Barcelona - was his childhood sporting hero. And, like any good son, wherever possible he gives gratitude to his mother and father. Yet' though there is no elder brother to demonstrate the ways of the world, he has not found wanting on the tennis circuit because there has always been Carlos Moya to fill the role.

Until now that is because Moya, fellow Majorcan as well as guide to the best Spanish restaurants around the world, confidante when things get a little problematical, occasional PlayStation opponent, member of the same card school and dining partner when Rafa celebrated his 21st birthday on Sunday, is the next man that stands in the way of the champion and his quest for a hat-trick of French Open titles.

Ten years separate these two sons of the biggest Balearic Island. Nadal maintains his memories of Moya beating another Spaniard Alex Corretja in 1998 were inspirational but a trifle vague. Ever since Nadal emerged onto the circuit as the most powerfully built of teenagers, Moya has been there as his unofficial guide.

Many believe that the youngster really came of age in the Davis Cup final victory over the United States in Seville at the end of 2004. Many believe Nadal’s victory over Andy Roddick in the second singles rubber was the portent of victory but Moya contributed more, winning both his singles matches and effectively clinching the title.

On the tour they have met five times and four of the confrontations have come in the intensity of the Masters Series. Currently the score stands at 3-2 to Nadal but the past three meetings have gone the maximum distance. Never have they met in a grand slam and, for both, the French Open is the pinnacle of the tennis year so this face-off is potentially the most special for both men.

To suggest all their ties will be forgotten when they walk out on court would be churlish. However, if the Williams sisters can confront each other competitively over a net in some of the sport’s most high-profile matches then so too can this pair. It should be an enticing prospect as nobody is better versed in the way Nadal approaches a tennis match than Moya.

Doubtless there will be the usual routine from the young champion. He will leap up and down in the ante-room before the pair walk onto court. He will keep Moya and the umpire waiting at the net while he almost absentmindedly goes through his pre-match routine. And then Nadal will sprint away to the baseline to begin his warm up, with Moya perhaps more intent on conserving energy given that his 31st birthday is fast approaching.

Nadal’s prediction is that on the court Moya will be an opponent, five minutes before in the locker room he will be a good friend, and five minutes after they walk off he will revert to being the same. The interim should be fascinating.