“The Greatest Tennis Player”: Coco Gauff Expresses Admiration For Serena Williams

The sixteen-year-old Coco Gauff believes her game is at the top level heading into the US Open 2020. The World No.50 Gauff reached the third round of the US Open last year before getting defeated by Naomi Osaka.

Recently, during the Western and Southern Open 2020, Gauff expressed her views on Serena Williams eyeing a record 24th grand slam title at Flushing Meadows.

“I consider her the greatest tennis player of all time right now. I’ll look at her that way whether she gets 24 or not. I’m also competing in the same field as her so I want to win also. When I watch her play, I normally am rooting for her” said Gauff in one of the interviews during Cincinnati Masters.

Serena Williams is yet to face Gauff on the WTA Tour but has spoken highly about the teenager’s ability. Gauff also receives guidance from Serena’s coach Patrick Mouratoglou apart from her father, her full-time coach.

Despite losing her opening round match against Maria Sakkari, Gauff is confident of her game ahead of her second US Open appearance. The American paired with fellow countrywoman Caty McNally to reach the second round of doubles at Cincinnati. The pair lost their round-of-16 match to the No.2 seeded Nicole Melicha and Xu Yifan.

The sensational rise of Coco Gauff

The American created shockwaves after upsetting Venus Williams in the opening round of last year’s Wimbledon Championships. Gauff rose to prominence after defeating two-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in the third round of Australian Open 2020.

Gauff won his maiden WTA title at Linz Open last October and also reached the semifinals of Top Seed Open earlier this month. The American reached a career-high of No.49 in singles in February 2020 and No.42 in doubles.

The prodigy faces Anastasija Sevastova in her opening round match at US Open 2020. Coco could potentially face Naomi Osaka in the third round, a possible rematch to their last year’s US Open clash.