By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Thursday, May 11, 2023

Roland Garros runner-up Coco Gauff is expert within the sliding arts and believes you are tripping in the event you underestimate Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros.

Asked to evaluate the Roland Garros males's subject in her Rome presser in the present day, Gauff summed up her view merely.

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The world No. 4 says King of Clay Rafael Nadal is the French Open favourite any day—no matter his latest lack of match play.

"I mean, if [Rafa] goes, I'm going to take him in Paris any day," Gauff mentioned. "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.

"There's been occasions, I bear in mind final yr, he was having that downside, utterly misplaced that match, did not appear to be he was going to be prepared in any respect. I made the error of doubting him. Next factor you already know, he just about stormed his strategy to the ultimate and received straight units."

Fourteen-time Roland Garros champion Nadal withdrew from this week's Rome. Nadal, who has shared coaching video on social media as he continues restoration from a hip harm, has not performed a match since falling to Mackenzie McDonald on the Australian Open in January.

Injury-induced inactivity doesn't deter Gauff from selecting the "GOAT on clay" as French Open favourite.

"He's just a GOAT in that way, a GOAT on clay, someone you can't underestimate," Gauff mentioned.

"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... I think it will open it up for the guys, the men's side.

"Then once more, we have not seen him play in so lengthy. So perhaps the draw is open. I do not know. But I positively suppose he'll be a risk regardless if he performs [before Paris] or not."

Photo credit score: Jamie McCarthy/Getty

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