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LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 23: Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal of Team Europe interact during the doubles match between Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe of Team World and Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal of Team Europe during Day One of the Laver Cup at The O2 Arena on September 23, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Laver Cup)
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LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 23: Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal of Team Europe interact during the doubles match between Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe of Team World and Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal of Team Europe during Day One of the Laver Cup at The O2 Arena on September 23, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images for Laver Cup)
The legendary rivalry between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer has gone down in the history of tennis. Every young player admires them and wishes to get somewhere near the legacy that they both have created. One such player is American teenage sensation Coco Gauff who wants to emulate a similar situation with her competitor, Emma Raducanu.
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer’s on and off-court chemistry is something that has given the true definition of sportsmanship. Gauff expressed her love for them and a desire to have such a relationship in the tennis realm.
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Coco Gauff wishes to have Roger Federer-Rafael Nadal rivalry with Emma Raducanu
The American teenage sensation has become the new hope of America. With her astounding run in 2022, people are looking forward to her career advancement on the court. Even though the British player is not at her peak, Gauff wishes to have an on-court rivalry with Raducanu, just the way Rafa-Federer had.
In a BBC sports column, Coco Gauff stated about famous rivalries. She mentioned Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova but that was before she was born. Furthermore, she stated, “Another example is, of course, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Roger and Rafa was my favorite rivalry. What they had was incredible.”
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Tennis – Laver Cup – 02 Arena, London, Britain – September 23, 2022 Team Europe’s Roger Federer with Rafael Nadal at the end of his last match after announcing his retirement Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers
She continued, “As a fan watching them it was amazing to see how they played on the court like they hated each other, but then to see afterwards they could be friends and did amazing things together.”
Furthermore, she talked about the viral moment when Rafa and Federer touched hands during Laver Cup which made her emotional.
Wishing to have something like that Emma Raducanu, Gauff stated, “I guess a match-up like that is something that I’d love to be part of in the future. I’m not sure it would be quite as great as them, but hopefully, we can get something close.”
Raducanu might not have been able to perform her best at the moment. However, tennis legends like Chris Evert and Billie Jean King have faith in her to make an impactful career on the court.
Gauff takes a stand for her rival Emma Raducanu
After defeating the British rival in straight sets in the second round of the Australian Open, Gauff came at Raducanu’s haters. She conveyed a strong message to not come at young tennis players.
The American player felt enraged because people always expected the players to win. She also stated that people needed to be reminded that players are teenagers too.
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Do you think Gauff’s dream of emulating a Rafa-Federer rivalry with Raducanu can come true? Please let us know in the comments below.
