Rafael Nadal is a legend of the sport, especially when it comes to the clay courts, and that's why Coco Gauff wants to see him at the 2023 Roland Garros.
Every sport suffers when the biggest legend is missing from the top stage. It was the same way on the ATP Tour last year when Novak Djokovic missed the Australian Open, and it was the same way every time Roger Federer missed the Wimbledon.
It wouldn't be any different if Rafael Nadal missed this year's Roland Garros, as the Spaniard triumph 14 times on the Parisian clay in the past, something that no one ever managed to do, and probably no one will ever match.
However, injuries have been troubling the 22-time Grand Slam champion, forcing him to withdraw from the 2023 Italian Open. Obviously, Coco Gauff competes at the event and she successfully navigated her second-round clash with Yulia Putintseva.
During the post-match press conference, the American was also asked about the men's side and how she sees the chance of the 36-year-old possibly missing the event that meant so much in his career.
"I mean, if he goes, I'm going to take him in Paris any day. 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 remembered that she had counted out Nadal before, thinking that he won't be able to win because of difficult preparation and injuries. But the Spaniard surprised her so she's really careful not to do that again.
"There's been times, I remember last year, he was having that problem, completely lost that match, didn't look like he was going to be ready at all. I made the mistake of doubting him. Next thing you know, he pretty much stormed his way to the final and won straight sets. He's just a GOAT in that way, a GOAT on clay, someone you can't underestimate."
The 19-year-old believes that if the 14-time Roland Garros champion misses the event, it will be felt by players and fans, but she also thinks that it will open the draw and create a chance for players that didn't have a chance to make their mark until now.
"I think for the tournament, if he doesn't play, obviously it would suck to have a player like him not play. But also I feel like the tour has a lot of -- I think it will open it up for the guys, the men's side. 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."
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