“If Rafael Nadal can do it, I can do it” – Coco Gauff on decision to continue Olympic Village stay in Paris while her tennis teammates moved out

The USA's Coco Gauff recently suggested drawing inspiration from Rafael Nadal while deciding to stay inside the Olympic Village at the Paris Games while her tennis mates moved out. Gauff was at the Village with four other USA women's tennis players, Jessica Pegula, Danielle Collins, Emma Navarro, and Desirae Krawczyk.

The Olympic Village was built in Paris this year to promote sustainability, as beds in use are made of cardboard that can be recycled and no air conditioning has been installed in the rooms, set up to host more than 10,000 athletes from across the world.

The Village has drawn mixed reactions from the athletes, with Gauff revealing her teammates have ditched the Village for a hotel outside.

"I'm the only one really," Gauff said. (via ESPN)

The American shared she was harboring thoughts of leaving the Village herself but decided otherwise after seeing 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal stay on.

"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.

A few days ago, Gauff revealed the rooms were overcrowded. She posted a video claiming there was only one restroom per five girls.

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Coco Gauff and Rafael Nadal's medal hopes at Paris Olympics 2024 singles event end

Coco Gauff pictured in tears after an argument with the chair umpire at the Paris Olympics 2024 | Getty

Coco Gauff faced a tearful exit from the 2024 Paris Olympics women's singles draw on Tuesday, July 30. She lost 7-6(7), 6-2 to Croatia's Donna Vekic in the third-round match that saw her getting involved in an argument with the chair umpire over a line call.

In the previous rounds, she defeated Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic and Argentina's Maria Lourdes Carle, both in straight sets. However, her time at the Games is far from over, as she remains afloat with Jessica Pegula in women's doubles and Taylor Fritz in mixed doubles.

Like Gauff, Rafael Nadal has also been eliminated from the men's singles event. He was defeated 6-1, 6-4 by long-time rival Novak Djokovic in the second round at Roland Garros.

The Spaniard too has unfinished business at the Paris Olympics in the doubles draw. He has paired up with Carlos Alcaraz and the duo has already reached the quarterfinals of the men's doubles competition in Paris.