Coco Gauff has always impressed Chris Evert. Since the start of her career, Evert has consistently praised the 20-year-old tennis prodigy, admiring her skill and determination on the court. However, in a recent revelation, the former World No. 1 shared an ominous insight, noting how watching Gauff’s performance at the Olympics gave her a strong sense of the young player’s impending success, and how it can affect her victory chances at the US Open.

Gauff became the youngest American to ever carry the national flag during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. Having been selected by her fellow Olympic teammates for the honor, Gauff was also the first tennis player to represent the United States as a flag-bearer at an opening ceremony. However, Evert believes that the various activities at the Olympics might have left her tired, affecting her chances in the US Open.

After a disappointing end to her Olympic journey, Coco Gauff will now shift her focus to defending her US Open title. As she prepares for the challenge, Chris Evert has weighed in on Gauff’s prospects. “It’s interesting, when I watched her at the Olympics, leading the parade, leading the whole Olympics, not only the American team, I saw her trading pins, she was photographed meeting all her idols. I’m like, this girl won’t be able to play. She’ll be so exhausted,” Evert said.

Further, Evert added, “She won’t be able to play. I didn’t expect her to win. She didn’t win. I think emotionally that took so much out of her. She’s still a young girl and wants to have fun, as well.”

As Coco Gauff gets ready for the US Open as the defending champion, she is struggling with a severe slump marked by on-court tears and an outburst at her coaching staff during the Wimbledon Championships. Evert, however, has an invaluable piece of advice for the 20-year-old.

“She was frustrated at them (the coaches) and seemed to be blaming them. But really tennis is inside you. John (McEnroe) and I didn’t have the coaching they have now. We figured it out ourselves and played instinctive tennis. She’s got to do more of that. I hope there aren’t too many voices in her ear,” Evert stated.

While the Olympics was an overwhelming, and stressful event for Gauff and Evert thinks it took a lot out of the American star, there was a time when Evert was happy with the role Gauff had in the Olympics opening ceremony.

Chris Evert was proud of Coco Gauff as she performed the role of America’s flag bearer at the Olympics

As Gauff led America’s Olympic contingent in the opening ceremony in Paris, Evert reacted with intense emotion. After the official revelation that Gauff would be the flag-bearer alongside LeBron James, the veteran took to X and expressed appreciation and excitement, as she wrote, “I cried!!! So exciting and deserving!”

Evert’s reaction highlighted the significance of Gauff’s achievement, especially at such a young age. However, after a disappointing end to her Olympic journey, Gauff’s focus will now shift to defending her US Open title.

If Gauff defends her title, at the US Open this year, not only will she achieve her second major but will also add more value to her tennis prowess on the court. But at the same time, Evert knows that all this won’t be easy for the 20-year-old with the pressure of expectations and her indifferent recent form. Do you think Coco Gauff can defend her title at Flushing Meadows? Let us know in the comments below.