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When Coco Gauff won her first grand slam championship at the US Open in September, it was not a surprise. Despite being only 19 years old, Gauff had been predicted to be the next top female tennis player in America for several years. She achieved this status in 2018 when she was ranked as the top junior player in the world. With her impressive physical abilities, powerful serve, and strong focus on the court, it was expected that she would reach her full potential at a young age.
The topic of whether or not her win at the Open will lead to further success in future major tournaments is a separate issue. It is possible that Gauff could become a formidable opponent at every slam, much like world No 1 Iga Świątek. However, it is important to note that numerous successful champions in the Open era, both male and female, did not immediately rack up multiple major titles.
Certainly, there have been successful winners who, after their initial slam victory, didn’t slow down – such as Jimmy Connors, Chris Evert, Björn Borg, Martina Navratilova, John McEnroe, and Steffi Graf. However, it is usually a gradual process to establish oneself as a dominant force in major tournaments.
Gauff’s role model, Serena Williams, won the US Open as a teenager just like Gauff did. However, after her victory in 1999, Williams struggled in major tournaments. It took her three years to win her second major title at the 2002 French Open, which was ironic considering clay was her worst surface. After that, Williams became a dominating force at the majors, never going a season without winning a slam until 2017. She is now often compared to other great female players such as Helen Wills Moody, Steffi Graf, and Martina Navratilova, and is considered one of the greatest women’s players of all time.
At the 1990 US Open, Pete Sampras made a big entrance at 19 years old. He was the 12th seed and not well-known to most tennis fans. However, he quickly became famous for his powerful serves and all-court style, winning the title by defeating Ivan Lendl, John McEnroe, and Andre Agassi. After this initial success, Sampras struggled to maintain his motivation and it took until 1993 Wimbledon for him to recapture his winning form. He went on to win 13 more major titles over the next decade. After his retirement, it seemed like no one would surpass his record of 14 slam wins…but the emergence of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic proved otherwise.
When discussing the top three players in tennis, it is impossible to imagine Djokovic struggling to win major titles now. However, after his first major win at the 2008 Australian Open at the age of 20, Djokovic faced difficulties in winning slams. At the time, he was known for lacking stamina in high-pressure moments against top opponents, and was consistently defeated by his rivals Federer and Nadal. But, three years later, Djokovic claimed his second slam victory at the 2011 Australian Open and has since become one of the most dominant players in the sport. He has won a total of 23 majors since his first win in Australia 16 years ago. While their playing styles may differ greatly, Djokovic’s journey to success is similar to that of Sampras, as both had to find a balance between natural talent and mental and emotional toughness.
Gauff undoubtedly possesses the diverse abilities necessary to amass a significant number of career Grand Slam titles. Her exceptional first serve, precise backhand, swift agility, and strategic shot selection, as well as her strong family ties and grounded demeanor, all contribute to her potential success. It is clear that her support system has played a crucial role in guiding Gauff and preventing common obstacles, such as burnout, that often arise for young prodigies.
Gauff’s forehand, which she uses an extreme western grip for and tends to make mistakes with, has always been the main concern. However, like many champions, she possesses a determined personality and as long as she continues to succeed, she is unlikely to make major changes to her forehand.
One factor that sets Gauff apart is her coach, Brad Gilbert. Despite their brief time working together before her win in New York, it’s evident that Gilbert has helped Gauff gain a newfound level of confidence. This is a feat he has also achieved with other notable players such as Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, and Andy Murray.
Gauff looks poised to make a solid run at consecutive slam titles when the Australian Open commences on Monday morning in Melbourne (Sunday evening in the United States). With her first ever title defense in Auckland this past weekend, she is playing into form at just the right time. It’d be to the benefit of tennis fans if Gauff and Świątek end up on opposite sides of the draw, with a chance to meet in the final. And with it, perhaps kick-start what would be a much-needed rivalry in women’s tennis.
Source: theguardian.com
