"Nadal is out so they needed someone" - Gauff jokes about playing on Laver 3 times
WTA
Coco Gauff played all her Australian Open matches so far on the Rod Laver Arena, and she joked about it being due to Rafael Nadal's exit from the event.
The decision to put Gauff on the Australian Open's biggest court demonstrates her star quality despite being 18 years old. Organizers know she will sell more tickets than most other players.
Gauff has yet to win a Grand Slam title. However, bursting onto the scene as a 15-year-old at the 2019 Wimbledon Championships, her engaging personality and superb brand of athletic and powerful tennis means she regularly plays on the most significant courts worldwide.
Gauff's placement on the Rod Laver Arena in her first three matches contrasts with Elena Rybakina's treatment. The Wimbledon champion has not been put on the Rod Laver or Margaret Court arena in her opening three contests.
Rybakina insists the organizers' decisions do not bother her. Nonetheless, she might have expected her third-round match against last year's runner-up, Danielle Collins, to be played in one of the two biggest arenas.
Gauff spoke about being chosen for the Rod Laver Arena three times after beating Bernarda Pera in the third round. The American admits she thrives off the fans' energy and joked that Rafael Nadal's early exit might have meant they needed anyone for the most significant court.
"I definitely do thrive off the energy. Honestly, truly shocked I've been on Laver like all my matches. One of the players asked what time I was playing. I was third. They were like, What court? I was like, Laver. He was like, Of course, they wouldn't put you anywhere else."
"I'm like, I don't know, maybe because Rafael Nadal is out they need somebody else (laughter). I don't know. I feel weird saying that."- Gauff on Nadal's exit giving her a chance to play in Laver
