Coco Gauff delivered a glowing assessment of Rafael Nadal while discussing his legacy amid his impending retirement.
The tennis legend has enjoyed a remarkable career, in which he has won 22 Grand Slam titles and a record 14 of them have come at the French Open. The Spaniard’s first title in Paris came back in 2005, just a year after Gauff was born.
Nineteen years later Nadal looks set to hang up his racket, and many will be sad to see him bid farewell to tennis, including the reigning US Open champion.
Coco Gauff on what it was like watching Rafael Nadal train
Gauff is a star in her own right nowadays, having elevated herself right to the top of the women’s game.
But the youngster admits that when she trained next to Nadal, she had to stop to take in what she was witnessing.
“I feel a little bit sad about it because he’s definitely one of my favourite players to watch. His mentality and intensity is something I admire,” Gauff told reporters.
“Honestly, he’s probably the only player that when I practice on the court next to him, I would literally zone out of my practice to watch him.
“I’ve practiced against – not against – but next to some incredible players on tour. He’s the only one that my eye wonders to.
“No disrespect to other players, but it’s something about him and his aura and the intensity in which he does everything. It’s just something to me as a young player to look up to.”
The intensity that Nadal trains at is certainly reflected in his performances on court. He plays every point as though it is last and his ability to stay focused mentally is one of the key components of his game.
He made his name as a baseline player whose speed and physicality enabled him to track down shots that seemed impossible and turn defence into attack within the blink of an eye.
The impressive amount of spin Nadal generates is unlike any player in the game’s history and this allowed him to pull his opponents pout of position and take control of rallies.
What else did Gauff say about Nadal before the Rome Masters?
Gauff was left touched by the ceremony for Nadal after what is likely to be his last appearance at the Madrid Open.
Nadal began his campaign by defeating teenager Darwin Blanch, before avenging his Barcelona defeat to Alex De Minaur in round two.
He prevailed in a gruelling three-hour encounter with Pedro Cachín in round three before losing to Jiri Lehecka in the last 16, who was near flawless on serve.
Banners hung from the rafters showing each of the five titles Nadal won in the Spanish capital and his home fans gave him a standing ovation.
Gauff played in that tournament and was saddened to see Nadal exit the tournament for the final time.
“I think I was in Madrid,” the 20-year-old added. “It didn’t really hit that he was retiring yet. Now when I saw them do the little ceremony after, I was like this is real life, this is for real.”
Nadal will commence what could be his last Rome Open campaign against Belgium’s Zizou Bergs on Thursday.
The 24-year-old is ranked 108 in the world and he came through the qualifying rounds to book a spot in round one against one of the sport’s greatest players.
Ahead of the players’ first meeting, Nadal will enter as the heavy favourite despite being ranked outside the top 300.
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