Coco Gauff’s ascent in the tennis world has been nothing short of remarkable since her breakout performance at Wimbledon in 2019, where she made headlines by defeating Venus Williams at the age of 15. Tipped for greatness from the start, the anticipation for her to clinch major titles has been palpable within the tennis community.
This year, Gauff lived up to those expectations by claiming victory at the US Open, solidifying her status as a rising star. The comparisons to Serena Williams have been inevitable, given their shared prowess and early successes. However, Rick Macci, Serena’s former coach, has emphasized that while Gauff is an exceptional athlete on the tour with remarkable potential, she’s not quite on the same level as Serena.
Macci commended Gauff’s athleticism, likening her to an “Olympic sprinter with a racket in her hand.” Yet, he noted a slight vulnerability in her forehand, albeit one she managed to mitigate during her victorious run at the US Open. Confidence, he highlighted, plays a crucial role in masking these imperfections, suggesting that when challenged with pace variations, Gauff might reveal moments of uncertainty. Despite this, Macci expressed belief in Gauff’s ability to secure Grand Slam titles.
Gauff’s journey to the upper echelons of the WTA has been a rollercoaster. Many anticipated her breakthrough at Roland Garros in 2022, yet it wasn’t until the US hardcourt swing of the following year, following her collaboration with Brad Gilbert, Andre Agassi’s former coach, that she truly hit her stride. Within a few weeks, she secured her first WTA 500, WTA 1000, and Grand Slam titles.
After her triumph in New York, Gauff addressed the doubters, expressing gratitude for those who didn’t believe in her. She underscored her rapid progression, defying expectations and silencing skeptics at each step of her journey. Gauff’s confidence and determination were evident in her words: “To those who thought they were putting water on my fire; they were adding gas to it. Now I’m burning so bright now.”
Coco Gauff is already preparing for the 2024 season.
She’s coming. 🇺🇸❤️ pic.twitter.com/rn9OiZH8Yd
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 16, 2023
The immense legacy of Serena Williams casts a long shadow, making it a challenging benchmark for any emerging talent to match. However, Gauff’s recent achievements undeniably position her among the WTA elite. The question of whether she can sustain this momentum into the 2024 season emerges as a compelling subplot, one that tennis enthusiasts eagerly await.
In summary, Coco Gauff’s journey in tennis showcases her remarkable talent, resilience, and potential to carve out her own legacy within the sport, albeit under the formidable shadow of Serena Williams. As she continues to evolve and mature as a player, the tennis world remains captivated by her promising trajectory and eagerly anticipates her future endeavors on the court.
Coco Gauff in 2023
WWWLLWLWWL At the moment ranked no.3 (career-high), Coco played her last match on the 4th of November when she was defeated by world no.5 Jessica Pegula 6-2 6-1 in the semifinal in Cancun (draw).
This year Gauff has a 51-16 record. Coco conquered 4 titles in 2023 in Auckland, Washington, Cincinnati and U.S. Open.
Coco Gauff |
| Embed from Getty Images |
