Rafael Nadal has rushed to congratulate the latest French Open winner, as the greatest champion in the competition’s history.
His dominance at this event has left a legacy that few will ever come close to, and so his comments about Roland Garros are of paramount importance.
Especially after the Spaniard spent some time in the French capital at the start of the event, honoured in a ceremony for his services not just to this tournament but to tennis as a whole.
But now, there will be new champions crowned, with Coco Gauff the first after winning Saturday’s women’s final against Aryna Sabalenka.
Showcasing similar indomitable spirit that Rafael Nadal once boasted on this clay, she will be enthralled when she wakes to see another particularly legendary message of congratulations.
Rafael Nadal congratulates Coco Gauff for winning French Open
The 14-time French Open champion would take to X to offer some words on Gauff’s latest triumph, keen to congratulate the 21-year-old for a tournament well played.
He knows better than anyone ever what it takes to win this event, and similarly just how gruelling the two weeks can be on this surface.
The clay forces a slow, patient game, completely different from grass and most hard courts.
It takes endurance and tactics and turns them into the most important traits; Gauff is lucky to be a leader in both.
Nadal’s message was short, but one that will leave Gauff starstruck nevertheless. And, as classy as ever, the 39-year-old also sought to offer his commiserations to Sabalenka after a fine tournament.
Coco Gauff outfoxes Aryna Sabalenka in Roland Garros final
Although Sabalenka has claimed that Iga Swiatek would’ve beaten Gauff in that final, those controversial comments are debatable.
After all, the way in which the two-time Grand Slam champion dealt with the tricky conditions yesterday was masterful, exhibiting a bold and fearless mentality that belies her youth.
She was not going to be overwhelmed by the wind or the occasion, instead focusing on what she could control.
Gauff got to every single ball, leaving Sabalenka stunned at times and thus forced to overplay. It was clear that the Belarusian felt pressured to hit the perfect shot at times just to bypass this relentless American.
Such an unflinching mindset always makes for a fine match, but with the added layer of a swirling wind, things were falling into place for Gauff.
She needed no favours to quickly adapt and create a tactic though, tweaking her game plan excellently after losing the first set to engineer her comeback.
For someone so young to have such outstanding problem-solving skills is truly remarkable, and it certainly bodes well for the future.
