NEW YORK (365nyt.dk) — Coco Gauff is undeniably a star in the world of tennis. She has achieved significant success as a Grand Slam champion, has been ranked number one in doubles and number two in singles, and she has already established herself as a prominent figure who transcends her sport. Gauff even served as a flag bearer alongside LeBron James at the Paris Olympics and has been featured with her own signature shoe and on Wheaties cereal boxes. Nevertheless, as the US Open begins, where she won her first major title a year ago—becoming the first American teenager to do so since Serena Williams in 1999—Gauff still appears to struggle with a sense of belonging. “I just thought I was a nobody,” said Gauff. “The whole flag bearer thing is still surprising for me. Like, ‘Why am I up there?’”
Gauff gained popularity among fellow athletes during the Olympics, often being approached by other competitors wanting to take pictures with her. “I thought, ‘Can I get a selfie with you too?’ I just wasn’t really prepared for this,” said the young tennis player.
When asked less than a month ago about her thoughts on the US Open and the significance of this tournament for her still-burgeoning career, Gauff replied, “It hasn’t been on my radar.” Instead, she is focusing on the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics and soaking in the experience.
“She has really embraced her star status, but at the same time she is like a child,” said Jessica Pegula, a top 10 player and Gauff’s frequent doubles partner. Gauff’s Olympic debut offered many enjoyable experiences off the court, including meetings with LeBron James, collecting pins, and socializing with athletes like gold medalist Noah Lyles, who won the 100-meter dash. “He might be the most confident athlete I’ve ever met in my life,” Gauff added.
However, her performance on the court during the Olympics was less than satisfactory. Gauff was eliminated in the third round in singles and lost in both doubles categories. “I will try to take the positives from it and do better next time,” she said.
Before defending her title at the US Open, Gauff is going through a challenging period in terms of results. She was knocked out in the fourth round at Wimbledon, where she was not satisfied with her coach, Brad Gilbert, and had a disappointing start to the hardcourt season, losing in both Toronto and Cincinnati. Her ranking has fallen from number two to number three, which is not the ideal preparation for the tournament where she made headlines in 2023.
“She constantly gets attention, all the time, and that’s part of the deal,” said Emma Navarro, who defeated Gauff at Wimbledon and was her teammate at the Olympics. Gauff’s first opponent in New York is Varvara Gracheva, who has not advanced past the first round in the last two years.
“You just don’t know—you don’t consciously know—what expectations seep into your body,” pointed out Chris Evert, a six-time US Open champion and now an ESPN analyst. “Everyone has thought about Coco from day one: ‘She’s the next Serena Williams. She will be the next to dominate.’ It follows you for a long time.”
Gauff is clearly determined to achieve more than just one Grand Slam victory. “I have many more ambitions than just winning one,” she stated. “I think that the start of one only gives you a taste and the belief that you can do it again.”