Coco Gauff discusses admiration for Rafael Nadal and makes ‘aura’ claim
Coco Gauff has revealed she most admires Rafael Nadal’s “mentality and intensity” and claimed that the Spaniard has an almost unrivalled aura on tour.
Gauff and Nadal are both at the Foro Italico for this fortnight’s Italian Open in Rome, with 10-time champion Nadal set to play the event for the final time.
World No 3 Gauff’s career has only briefly coincided with the Spaniard’s, with the 20-year-old only playing on tour regularly since 2019.
And she admitted in her pre-tournament press conference that it was “very weird” to see Nadal leave the sport – while also saying that there was “something” about his aura that made him compelling viewing.
She said: “Honestly it’s very weird for me as a fan to come to terms with just because the majority of my life he’s been the Roland Garros winner. I mean, I guess it’s now hitting.
“I think I was in Madrid. 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.
“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. 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.
Coco’s here, welcome back #IBI24 | @WTA | @CocoGauff pic.twitter.com/DmYSTu8ywL
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“I’ve practised against – not against – but next to some incredible players on tour. He’s the only one that my eye wanders 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.”
It is not known yet when Nadal will make his official farewell from the sport, with French Open, Olympic, and Laver Cup campaigns all possible – should his body hold up.
And Gauff believes that when he does finally hang up his racket, fans will miss not only his intensity but his humility.
“Also just the grace he shows. He’s a very nice person,” she added.
“I remember at Roland Garros, he touched me on the back and said: ‘Hi, good job.’ I didn’t respond like till 20 tiles already down the stairs because I couldn’t believe he spoke to me.
“I think it’s little things like that that I’ll miss seeing on tour.
“The way he carries himself is just great. His legacy is going to be something that is almost, like, unmatched when it comes to just the intensity in which he approaches everything.
“I think that’s something that the players will miss and the fans will miss.”
