Gauff on recent praise from Nadal: "I still get starstruck by him"

As well as Iga Swiatek, the reigning Roland Garros champion getting to share a practice session with Rafael Nadal, he also had some kind words for another rising star in Coco Gauff.

Gauff, who has had a remarkable rise in recent years comes into this year's tournament having cemented her aspirations on clay capped off with victory in Parma recently for her second WTA title at only 17.

But with all the attention that surrounds the American, Nadal spoke of her as 'great with aptitude' with Gauff admitting she still gets starstruck speaking or seeing Nadal at tournaments.

“Oh, that's pretty cool to hear, to be honest,” said Gauff. “It feels pretty good. Obviously, [he is] somebody [that] I look up to, and walking around I still get starstruck by him, like it's Rafa Nadal. So, it's pretty cool that he said that about me.”

Nadal also said that Gauff doesn't need advice from him to succeed but she thinks differently and would welcome any wisdom from the 13-time champion in Paris.

“I know [that] he says I don't need advice, but anything from Rafa would be great (smiling).”

For Gauff, she starts her Roland Garros quest against Aleksandra Krunic tomorrow, while similarly Nadal will take on Alexei Popyrin.