Despite being only 15 years, Coco Gauff is already making a name for herself at the big stage of professional tennis. The former junior world number one had some significant stints and achievements that attracted a section of tennis enthusiasts in 2019.
First, she defeated Venus Williams at Wimbledon, whom, together with her sister, Serena, motivated her to stay committed to tennis. Fast forward, she impressed a lot of fans during the US open after qualifying to the third round where she lost Osaka. The Japanese, overwhelmed by Gauff, invited her to address the crowd after the game. An actual display of respect and sportsmanship by the ever-humble Naomi Osaka.
Coco Gauff’s performance
Coco Gauff’s exceptional performances for a teenager at her age did not end at the US Open. The 15-year-old won her maiden WTA Tour title during the Linz Open hosted in Austria. She beat four of the best 100 ranked female tennis players, including Kiki Bertens. Winning the Linz Open made her the youngest woman ever to achieve such a feat, outshining the likes of Serena and Venus, who didn’t reach such heights while at her age. Earlier on, she was beaten by Tamara Korpatsch, but another participant’s withdrawal meant she re-enters the tournament.
“I got in as a ‘lucky loser.’ It wasn’t in my plan to win a title this year. It was a confidence booster because I didn’t really have anything to my name, at that point,” she said.
Coco trained at the Mouratoglou Academy
Coco Gauff has achieved significant accolades exceeding her expectations. Apart from taking part in professional tennis tours, she has the Linz Open title, and two WTA doubles titles to her name.
The teenager has also trained at the Mouratoglou Academy under Patrick Mouratoglou, Serena’s coach. Recently, the Greek-French tennis coach singled out Gauff’s ability to learn quickly as a vital recipe to her success.
Asked if Mouratoglou’s observation was correct, she replied, “It depends on what it is. I can be stubborn sometimes, but once I become open-minded, I think I do pick up on things quickly. My Dad will tell me something, but he won’t make me do it. I have to learn on my own when something is not working, and then, once that happens, I adapt quickly. He kind of guides, then when I finally decide to be open-minded, we see the results.”
Cori Gauff’s ranking and performance in 2019
Ranked no.69, Gauff played her last match on the 16th of October when she lost to Anna Blinkova 6-4 6-0 in the 1st round in Luxembourg.
This year the American has an 18-8 win-loss record. Cori conquered 1 title in Linz.
Serena Williams’s ranking and performance in 2019
Ranked no.10, Serena played her last match on the 7th of September when she lost to Bianca Vanessa Andreescu 6-3 7-5 in the final in U.S. Open.
Serena Williams’s best performance of the year was reaching the final in at the U.S. Open, Toronto and in Wimbledon.
Cori Gauff and Serena Williams have never played each other.
