Cori Gauff picks Rafael Nadal to win US Open

Cori Gauff is picking Rafael Nadal to be the winner of the US Open men’s event.

Nadal, 36, is a four-time US Open champion.

Nadal is competing at the US Open for the first time since winning his fourth title at Flushing Meadows in 2019.

Nadal didn’t have a great preparation for the US Open, having played just one match leading up to the tournament.

But Nadal knows how to win and Gauff believes he can go all the way this year.

“Well, since Rafa’s right there, I’m gonna go with Rafael Nadal, let’s go!” Gauff told in a video for the US Open.

On the women’s side, Gauff is picking herself to lift the title.

“Well, I would pick myself! Why wouldn’t I pick myself?” exclaimed Gauff.

We asked the ⭐️s of the #USOpen who will be lifting the 🏆 pic.twitter.com/yZz8pSSbPJ

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 28, 2022

Gauff told a funny scene with Nadal

At this year’s French Open, Gauff made her first Grand Slam final.

When Nadal saw Gauff in the players’ area at the French Open, he tapped her on the shoulder and congratulated on a good run.

Since Gauff was in the complete state of shock, it took her some time to realize what had just happened.

Nadal was already gone when Gauff answered the Spaniard.

“They mean a lot to me. Rafa is one of the greatest in this sport, if not the greatest. I see him in the players’ area, he’s very nice. He always intimidates me because he is Rafa. I remember that at Roland Garros he slapped me on the shoulder and said: ‘Good job.’ I answered him when he had already passed the corridor because I was shocked,” Gauff said. “He is one of the best players. We see each other every week, but he continues to impress. Like with Nole, Roger, Serena or Venus. Hearing that from him is great, I hope to live up to expectations.”