After Rafael Nadal’s defeat in the opening round of the 2024 French Open, Coco Gauff recently revealed how she finds inspiration in the Spaniard. In the first round at Roland Garros, Nadal was defeated by Alexander Zverev.
Nadal may be playing in his final season of competition after a difficult few years due to injuries. In the opening round of the clay court Major, he lost to Zverev in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-3.
After her French Open first-round victory over qualifier Julia Avdeeva, Coco Gauff discussed her feelings towards Nadal. Gauff discussed how tough the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s practice sessions are during an interview.
According to Gauff, Nadal’s fervour inspires her to approach tennis and life in general with the same degree of dedication.
Gauff stated her remarks about Nadal and said: “The way he practices is like no other player that I’ve seen. It’s just like, even if I have to go to my practice, I’ll stop and watch for a couple of minutes, which is what I did two days ago when he was training. It’s just something that inspires you to bring that intensity to everything that you do in life, not just tennis.”
Gauff also recognized the unique vibe the Spaniard possesses. She went on to say that she will miss his supremacy in the French Open, a Grand Slam title he has won a record-breaking 14 times.
She further said: “And we all know how nice of a guy he is and how unintentionally funny he is, which I just love watching like Rafa moments on YouTube when he doesn’t mean to be funny but it’s very funny. So yeah, just everything about him, I think his aura is, you know, one of one, and especially here [the French Open], it’s something that won’t happen again in the sport.”
Gauff at the French Open, ranking, and results in 2024
Now the world no.3 (career-high), Gauff has a compiled 26-8 win-loss record in 2024. Gauff is now competing at the French Open where she defeated the world no.208 Julia Avdeeva 6-1 6-1.
Coco Gauff will play the world no.131 Tamara Zidansek in the 2nd round on Wednesday at 7:00 pm on Court SUZANNE-LENGLEN. They have never played each other so far in top competitions.
The American conquered 1 title in 2024 in Auckland.
The American won 7 titles in her career: 5 on hard courts, 1 on clay courts and 1 on indoor courts. (See the list of her titles)
Rafael Nadal in 2024
At the moment ranked no.275, Rafael played his last match on the 27th of May when he surrendered to world no.4 Alexander Zverev 6-3 7-6(5) 6-3 in the 1st round of the French Open (draw).
Currently, during this season Rafael owns a 7-5 win-loss record.
Nadal is scheduled to play next at the Wimbledon (Wimbledon). He will start from the main draw that will commence on the 1st of July.