“All I’ve ever known my whole life is him winning here” – Just like the whole tennis fraternity, Coco Gauff couldn’t hold her emotions on Rafael Nadal‘s leaving speech at the French Open 2024. The 22-time Grand Slam champion walked off the court with pride, contemplating the possibility of this being his farewell match. On that note, the 20-year-old recently opened up about catching a glimpse of the Spaniard exiting with no emotional strain.

After defeating Julia Avdeeva in the first round of the event, the young American sensation is ready to move forward, but at the same time, she was heartbroken, to witness Nadal bid goodbye to Roland Garros. In an interview with the Tennis Channel, she said, “I think, well for me if I like literally didn’t have to play I would have probably been there. I saw Serena’s one of her last matches and then uh the goal was to you know see Rafa’s but they put me at the same time.” 

Further, she also detailed how, as someone who has watched the 37-year-old tennis player rule the court, it was not an easy moment for her. Further, she added, “I was watching it like in the press room but like in an office and we were just watching the speech. Luckily, he didn’t cry I think if he cried, I would have cried. I was getting a little bit emotional cuz it’s like literally all I’ve ever known my whole life is him winning here.” 

Gauff was full of self-believe when she saw the 22-time Grand Slam champion leave the court filled with hope rather than disappointment. At the French Open, Iga Swiatek, Carlos Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic were all seen watching Rafael Nadal vs. Alexander Zverev.

In addition, this is a significant demonstration of respect and interest from other elite tennis players. However, on the other hand, before starting his French Open campaign, Nadal was clear that this wouldn’t be his last, but by the end of the match, things changed, and he talked about the possibility of this being his farewell match.

After the defeat, he said, “I am not 100 percent sure, but if it’s the last time, I enjoyed it. The crowd has been amazing during the whole week of preparation, and the feelings that I have today are difficult to describe in words.” Subsequently, Swiatek and Alcaraz opened up about the energy that the 37-year-old tennis legend brought to the court while paying tribute to the legend.

Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz honor Rafael Nadal 

At the Spanish player’s most successful major, where his trophy collection is unrivaled, players honored his legacy after witnessing him exit the court grinning. On rolandgarros.com, Alcaraz expressed his admiration, stating, “This is difficult. Every time I hear that he has won this tournament, I remember especially the semi-final, I think 2013 against Djokovic. It was an epic match.”

Women’s World No. 1 frequently credits Nadal as her biggest inspiration for going professional. Swiatek said, “I would say I never really looked up to anybody except Rafa… Rafa was the only athlete that, when I was younger who motivated me to actually try to be the best tennis player possible.”

Nevertheless, what are your thoughts on Nadal’s early French Open exit? Do let us know in the comment section below.