Mutua Madrid Open: Coco Gauff Now Just One Step Away From Ultimate Glory as Fate Rests on Aryna Sabalenka’s Outcome

The battle to become the best in women’s tennis is intensifying with each passing day. While Iga Swiatek is leading the pack after a consistent start to the season, the likes of Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff aren’t too far behind. As a result, the ongoing clay-court season becomes much more important. Ahead of the Madrid Open, American tennis sensation, Coco Gauff, will be eying something that she hasn’t achieved before.

The women’s draw at the Madrid Open will see a packed field with top stars eying the coveted prize. Meanwhile, Gauff will not only have an eye on her performance but also on her rival, Aryna Sabalenka, as Gauff’s achievement rests in the hands of the Belarusian tennis star.

Aryna Sabalenka’s performance set to determine the second spot for Coco Gauff

Last year, Aryna Sabalenka defeated Iga Swiatek in the crunch final of the Madrid Open to lift the trophy. Being the defending champion this year, the Belarusian tennis star will have her task cut out as she has to defend 1000 ranking points won in 2023. Furthermore, if things don’t go her way in the tournament, she will lose her second spot to Gauff, who will achieve her career-best ranking as a result.

In the live WTA rankings, Gauff has already taken the second spot with 7203 points. On the other hand, Sabalenka has slipped to the third position with 6858 points. Further, if the reigning Australian Open champion fails to reach the semifinals in Madrid, Gauff will take the second spot regardless of her performance.

Although Sabalenka will not have it easy in Madrid, Gauff has a high probability of overtaking her rival after the tournament. Moreover, she’ll have an added boost in the form of a legendary coach.

Gauff re-hires her former coach

Ahead of the Madrid Open, Gauff’s backroom staff had a surprise new addition. Jean-Christophe Faurel, a former tennis pro, not to mention Gauff’s coach during her early years on the tour, rejoined the American sensation’s team. Although Gauff is already backed by the likes of Brad Gilbert, as Jessica Pegula has proved, multiple coaches may actually prove to be useful.

Faurel worked with Gauff when she was making her Grand Slam debut and caused a massive upset by defeating Venus Williams at Wimbledon in 2019. According to a report, it was Gauff who requested Faurel to re-join her team and he responded positively to it. Might we expect another Grand Slam win this year?

With this, it looks like Gauff’s opponents will have a tough time stopping her at the Madrid Open. With the French Open and the Paris Olympics in sight, the American sensation will look to up the ante and rise in the WTA rankings!