“If he can do it, I can do it”: Coco Gauff following lead of Rafael Nadal in staying in Olympic Village despite exit

Coco Gauff’s run at the Olympic Games was swiftly ended in the Last 16 as Donna Vekic accounted for her in setting up a clash with Marta Kostyuk.

Technically Gauff is still involved in Paris. She is teaming with Jessica Pegula and Taylor Fritz. Rules seemingly dictated that when your run is over, you have to leave the Athletes Village.

But unlike others who may escape the environment to get a hotel, Gauff has decided against this route. She instead has decided to stay. Mainly due to the fact that she is having such a good experience meeting other athletes.

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But also as she wants to follow Nadal’s lead in still being there. The Spaniard is one of the only high profile players who hasn’t stayed in a hotel. He is staying with Carlos Alcaraz who like Nadal has spent the week getting mobbed by fellow athletes.

"I'm the only one really," Gauff said to ESPN.

"Like, at first I was going to move, and then when I kept meeting all these amazing athletes staying in the village, and then Rafa is staying in the village. So I was like, if he can do it, I can do it. But I understand why my teammates left," she added.