Rafael Nadal is one of tennis’ greatest-ever players, and remains highly relevant within the sporting landscape despite his 2024 retirement.
After all, he was a well-liked figure, revered for his unrelenting attitude as well as his affable personality off the court.
He also clearly had a great passion for the growth of tennis too, and that has been further showcased through his desire to nurture the talents of the future with his academy.
However, in 2022, it was Coco Gauff that he saw as the true future of women’s tennis, even making a bold prediction while issuing her some advice.
What Rafael Nadal said about Coco Gauff in 2022
Speaking to the press at Wimbledon, just months after Rafael Nadal had won another Roland Garros title whilst Gauff lost in the final, the Spaniard had nothing but praise for the American teenager.
He admitted: “I like her the way that she talks to the crowd, to the press at the end of the matches. She’s fresh. She’s natural. Looks very mature in her thoughts.”
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It almost felt like he saw something of himself within her, adding: “Yeah, I think she is a fighter. I like the way that she plays. She fights for every ball. Even sometimes when she’s not playing that well, she keeps fighting till the end, running for every ball.”
Nadal concluded with his bold prediction, one that has already come true. He claimed: “I think, yeah, if she’s able just to improve a little bit with this physical performance that she has, probably we’ll talk about the player that she will be: multi-Grand Slam winner.”
Gauff already has two and is just 22 years old. Last year’s French Open title will certainly not be her last.
How Coco Gauff won her two Grand Slam titles
Gauff has struggled with her serve over the past year, yet remains hugely competitive. This perfectly exemplifies the kind of player she is, as Nadal perfectly described nearly four years ago.
Her chances of adding to her tally soon seem unlikely, but the clear progress she continues to make suggests that, when she does fix her forehand and serving issues, she could dominate.
Prove us wrong…
As mentioned earlier, Gauff actually lost her first major final to Iga Swiatek at the French Open.
However, the following year, she would truly announce herself, winning the US Open in dramatic fashion by beating Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
There, she overcame stars like a rising Mirra Andreeva, Jelena Ostapenko, Caroline Wozniacki and Karolina Muchová, before conquering the ultimate challenge in Sabalenka.
Gauff’s run at the 2025 French Open was far kinder, with Madison Keys the only real threat posed throughout the draw.
However, it was again Sabalenka waiting for her in the final, and again the youngster overcame the tough conditions to win the title.
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