Coco Gauff has experienced a remarkable turnaround in her fortunes since her unexpected first-round exit at Wimbledon. She has gone on to win multiple titles in ATP Masters hard court events and has defeated top seeds like Iga Swiatek and Karolina Muchova on her journey to glory.
It’s no surprise that many regard her highly as she pursues her first Grand Slam victory at the US Open. The 19-year-old Gauff is currently making her way up the ranks at Flushing Meadows, showcasing hard-hitting and precise tennis that has earned admiration from legends of the game, who commend her strength, attitude, and determination.
Novak Djokovic talks on Coco Gauff’s chances of winning first Grand Slam
With 23 major titles under his belt, Novak Djokovic is well-acquainted with the qualities needed for Grand Slam success. His resilience, mental strength, and tenacity have propelled him to the upper echelons of elite tennis. These very qualities are what Djokovic sees in Coco Gauff, especially after her dominant victory over Mirra Andreeva in the US Open’s second round.
Following his straight-set victory over Bernabe Zapata Miralles, Djokovic praised Coco Gauff’s recent surge in performance and believes that the 19-year-old from Atlanta can pose a significant challenge in this year’s US Open.
“She broke to the kind of top of the women’s game quite early. Some years ago I think she was like 16, 17, when she played fourth round of Wimbledon,” said Djokovic. “It still takes some time, a few years for things to come together where you feel that you are complete as a player, that you are ready to win Slams and dominate the game. I think she is coming very close to that stage and that level. I’m sure that she has very high hopes for the US Open and she should, because she’s playing really well.”
Novak Djokovic says Coco Gauff is getting close to winning a Grand Slam:
“Coco is on the rise. She’s yet to win a Grand Slam, but played in a final. She’s still young, but now with Brad Gilbert on her side with the experience of coaching some of the greats, things are coming… pic.twitter.com/llRW9nrcFN
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 30, 2023
Novak Djokovic also acknowledged the positive impact of Coco Gauff’s coach, Brad Gilbert, who brings invaluable experience from coaching other great tennis players.
Brad Gilbert, an American former tennis player and esteemed coach, has worked with legends like Andre Agassi, who secured six of his eight Grand Slam titles under Gilbert’s guidance. Other notable players he has coached include Andy Roddick, Andy Murray, and Kei Nishikori.
Coco Gauff, in turn, praised Djokovic’s positive on-court demeanour and found it inspiring for her own game. “What I’ve learned the most is how they handle situations when they’re not playing their best tennis,” Gauff said.
Coco Gauff’s performances at US Open
Coco Gauff’s journey at the US Open commenced against German Laura Siegemund. She recovered from a set down to defeat Siegemund 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 in an intense battle on Arthur Ashe Stadium that spanned nearly three hours. The match was marred by controversy due to Siegemund’s stalling tactics, which led to Gauff’s frustration and complaints to the chair umpire. On Siegemund’s serve, the shot clock ticked down to zero multiple times and she made Gauff wait on her serve. This infuriated Gauff. Eventually, the match culminated with Siegemund slamming a forehand into the net.
A couple of days later, Gauff faced a challenging match against Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva, whom she had previously defeated at the French Open earlier in the year. Despite Andreeva’s impressive Wimbledon performance, Gauff emerged victorious, boosted by the presence of her idol, Jimmy Butler, in the audience. She secured a 6-2, 6-3 win on a humid evening at Flushing Meadows.
Reflecting on her victory, Gauff said, “I learned a lot from my previous match. It was tough to be aggressive but I tried cornering her and not allowing her to win points.”
Her next opponent is the no.32 seed, Belgian Elise Mertens, who overcame Danielle Collins in a grueling match.
Coco Gauff’s journey in the 2023 hard court season has been marked by a dramatic transformation. Could she bring delight to the New York crowd by becoming the first American champion since Sloane Stephens in 2017? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
