'We love Rafael Nadal for that', says ATP legend

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• Rafael Nadal

Cori Gauff revealed that the rivalry between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal was her favorite to watch and also admitted that she got emotional watching the viral scene of Federer and Nadal at the Laver Cup. Federer and Nadal created one of the biggest rivalries in all of sports and The Swiss wanted to retire in the Laver Cup by playing a doubles match with the Spaniard.

"One of the most famous was Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert, although that was before I was born. Another example is of course Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Roger and Rafa was my favorite rivalry. What they had was incredible.

As a fan watching them, it was amazing to see how they played on the court like they hated each other, but then to see that they could be friends and do amazing things together. That moment in the Laver Cup when they touched hands also moved me.

I think I would love to participate in a match like that in the future," Gauff said, according to Sportskeeda. Federer also had a prominent rivalry with Djokovic. In the 2019 Wimbledon final, Djokovic saved two championship points on Federer's serve en route to winning the title.

"Another one that I have seen live is Roger and Novak Djokovic, although when Novak won the Wimbledon title in 2019, it was a heartbreak for me because I am a fan of Roger. I like Novak a lot, but I like Roger maybe 10% more," Gauff revealed.

Meanwhile, Gauff is seeking her first Grand Slam title at this year's Australian Open. Last year, Gauff was runner-up at the French Open. and reached the quarterfinals of the US Open.

John McEnroe speaks about Nadal

Tennis legend John McEnroe recently weighed in on speculation about Rafael Nadal's retirement following his 2023 Australian Open exit.

"My hope is he goes out when he wants to go out, not when we want him to go out. You are talking about a GOAT - greatest of all time - type of athlete," McEnroe said. "Rafa, from what I've heard, wants to keep playing. You know, he loves the competition, he loves the process, and he loves the sport and we love him for that," McEnroe said.

"But if the body doesn't hold up and he feels like he can't get to that type of level health-wise that he needs to, to win majors, then I think he'll quit," he added.