“A GOAT on clay,” Coco Gauff acknowledges Rafael Nadal’s greatness at Roland Garros by terming him the favorite despite persistent injury woes
Coco Gauff is quite confident that the 'Goat of Clay' Rafael Nadal will be making his awaited comeback at the Roland Garros.
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Rafael Nadal and Coco Gauff (Image Credits: Imago)
Coco Gauff advanced to the round of 32 at the Italian Open, after defeating Yulia Putintseva. While addressing the post-match press, the American expressed confidence in Rafael Nadal‘s ability to make a comeback at the Roland Garros.
In Madrid, the World No.5 reached the finals of the women’s doubles with her perfect partner Jessica Pegula. However, the dynamic duo faced defeat at the hands of Victoria Azarenka and Beatriz Haddad Maia. The 19-year-old is back at the Rome Open, where last year she played till the round of 16. During the press conference in Italy, the French Open finalist admitted that she made a ‘mistake’ to doubt the ability of the Spaniard.
“If he goes, I’m gonna take him in Paris any day.. Last year.. he didn’t look like he’d be ready at all. I made the mistake of doubting him & he stormed his way to the final.. He’s just a GOAT in that way & a GOAT on clay,” Gauff spoke at the press conference in Italy.
The Roland Garros finalist stated that the ‘King of Clay’ can still outperform himself at the French Open. She believes that the 22 Grand Slam champion is a potential threat even he hasn’t played a single match of the clay season.
“I don’t think he needs match experience. I’m sure he probably would have preferred to play some matches before. I think that him and Roland Garros is something special,” Gauff said.“Then again, we haven’t seen him play in so long. So maybe the draw is open. I don’t know. But I definitely think he’s going to be a threat regardless if he plays or not,” she further added.
Rafael Nadal has not played a single match since his last appearance at the Australian Open. With persisting injury problems, the 36 year-old was forced to withdraw from Monte-Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid. His latest decision to pull out of the Italian Open has placed an question mark on his return at Roland Garros.
Coco Gauff aiming to achieve her maiden Slam at the Roland Garros
Coco Gauff holds her best record on clay, where her success rate is almost 73%. The American wishes to hold an incredible record on the surface, just like Rafael Nadal. As the French Open starts in two weeks, the 19-year-old is looking forward to claim what she lost at the finals last year.
The 5th-seeded player had an incredible run in the last year’s Roland Garros. She reached her first Grand Slam finals, both in the singles and women doubles categories. However, her huge accomplishment did not deliver the expected results. In the singles category, she lost the final to the stunning performance of Iga Swiatek. On the other hand, her pairing with Jessica Pegula faced a tough loss at the hands of ‘French duo’ of Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic.
Chris Evert, the former World No.1 has also expressed her confidence in the fellow American. She said that Gauff’s ‘strong game’ on clay will pose huge threat to all other contenders. She also added that last year’s experience will definitely help her play the best at tough moments.
“And then Coco. You know if you were to ask me, when she was 15 and when I saw her beat Venus – if you’d asked me it when she’s 19, would she have won a major, I would have said yes”, she told to Eurosport.
“She’s been on the Tour for four years. She has the experience. Now she has the confidence. She’s got good nerves. She’s got an excellent serve and a world-class backhand,” Evert further added.
Gauff will be facing Marie Bouzkova in the round of 32 at the Italian Open.
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Nikhil Sonmali
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