Rafael Nadal‘s Roland Garros journey has ended as he lost to Alexander Zverev in round 1 of the French Open. The King of Clay earned his title in the tournament and inspired millions around the world. Coco Gauff would be one of the many who discussed the saddening situation of Rafa’s exit. However, the American youngster managed to find a comedic way to talk about the impact Rafa had on her. 

Gauff played her first match in the Roland-Garros against Julia Avdeeva and won in a smashing 6-1, 6-1 display. After her victory, the world no. 3 sat down with Tennis Channel to talk about Rafa’s farewell. When asked about the inspiration Rafa had given her, Gauff said it was the way he had practiced. Furthermore, “I just love watching like Rafa moments on YouTube. He doesn’t mean to be funny, but it’s very funny.”

Rafa has a way of disarming the person across the microphone or those watching him with unintentionally hilarious comments. And as Gauff said, the internet is full of them!

She also talked about the presence he commanded, especially in the clay slam. “So yeah, everything about him, I think, his aura is a, you know, one of one, and, especially here, it’s something that won’t happen again in the sport.”

Nadal had the misfortune of being placed against Zverev. He found himself losing 6-3, 7-6, 6-3, exiting the French Open in the first round for the first time in his career. Despite the early exit, the Spanish bull did not choke up in his possible farewell speech. Unable to be courtside during his match, Gauff watched it in a press room and believes she would have shed tears too if the 14-time champion had tears on his face. 

Coco Gauff ‘would have cried’ had Rafael Nadal cried during his post-match speech

After winning her first round, Gauff is ready to move forward but found herself heartbroken as she witnessed the defeat of Rafa. In the same interview with Tennis Channel and Prakash Amritraj, she said, “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.”

The heaviness of the moment struck her as well, and while she didn’t cry, she felt somber. “I was getting a little bit emotional cuz it’s like literally all I’ve ever known, my whole life is him winning here.” 

With Rafa out of the tournament, the tennis world mourns his possible last run on Parisian clay. But they won’t have long to mourn as the action still continues. Rafa’s victory had a very small possibility, but many still favored him. Now, who will be the one to step up and claim the trophy?