"If he goes, I'm going to take him in Paris any day": Gauff cements herself in Nadal's corner ahead of Roland Garros

Coco Gauff said she made a mistake by doubting Rafael Nadal in the 2022 French Open

American tennis player Coco Gauff confessed to having doubted Rafael Nadal's chances. The 19-year-old tennis player acknowledged that it was a mistake to mistrust the 22-time Grand Slam champion. The weeks leading up to the 2022 French Open were particularly difficult due to the little preparation that the 14-time French Open champion had.

The Spanish player arrived injured to the clay season and only had the Madrid Open (where he was defeated in the quarterfinals by Carlos Alcaraz) and the Rome Open as preparation, where he left limping after being defeated by Denis Shapovalov in the round of 16.

"There's been times, I remember last year, he was having that problem, completely lost that match, didn't look like he was going to be ready at all. I made the mistake of doubting him," said Coco about Nadal.

"Next thing you know, he pretty much stormed his way to the final and won straight sets. He's just a GOAT in that way, a GOAT on clay, someone you can't underestimate," added the tennis player who was a finalist in the same year, being defeated by world No. 1 Iga Swiatek.

Gauff assured that she hopes to see Nadal on the French clay, and that if he doesn't make it, the men's trophy will be open for competition."

“But also I feel like the tour has a lot of -- I think it will open it up for the guys, the men's side,” claimed Gauff

“Then again, we haven't seen him play in so long. So maybe the draw is open. I don't know. But I definitely think he's going to be a threat regardless if he plays or not.”

Coco successfully debuted by crushing Yulia Putintseva 6-0, 6-1, and will face Czech player Marie Bouzkova in the third round.