Andy Roddick is the latest to offer his praise for Coco Gauff, the latest French Open champion.
The 21-year-old roared back from a set down yesterday afternoon, toppling Aryna Sabalenka in a match marred by tough conditions.
In the end, it was the American who rose above such external hardship, once again exhibiting her relentless mentality which is destined to forge a phenomenal career for her.
This title marks her second at the Grand Slam level, and at such a young age, it’s scary to think how many more she might rack up as the years go by.
Andy Roddick certainly expects that to be the case, but wanted to ensure that one area of Coco Gauff’s game, which he sees as criminally underappreciated, got the praise it deserves.
What people need to start saying about Coco Gauff
Offering glowing praise on his Served with Andy Roddick podcast, the former world number one started by highlighting just how far Gauff has come: ‘It wasn’t easy last year in the vacuum of winning that. US Open. She struggled some. It wasn’t like it’s been smooth sailing since then. She is such a professional.
‘Even when it’s hard, you know you’re gonna get effort, you know, even if she’s not feeling perfectly, she’s gonna show up, she’s gonna be a professional, she does all of the things that she has to do.
‘And by the way, something we won’t talk about enough. Have you ever seen Coco tired on the court? Ever?’
His co-host would simply add that ‘it’s absurd,’ before Roddick continued: ‘We talk about fitness. Her fitness levels, and Aryna by the way. Their fitness levels are through the roof. They’ve played almost three hours of intense tennis today.
‘Coco, I don’t know that I’ve seen her frustrated, I’ve seen her angry, I’ve seen her timid, maybe not confident, never questioned fitness, but I didn’t mention it. And she’s covering some court.
‘She was the one running, tracking balls down the entire time, and when you’re playing against her, that has to be stressful mentally to know that you’re not gonna beat her based on physicality.
‘Now, you might beat her based on X’s and O’s and merits and the whole thing. She isn’t going away, and her skill set defensively is phenomenal, and I’m just so happy for her.’
Coco Gauff is one of the best movers in the game
Although Roddick wants more people to talk about it, it’s hardly a well-kept secret.
After all, Gauff’s movement is largely regarded as one of the best in tennis, thus making her defence one of the best too.
She scrambles after every single ball, always forcing her opponent to play one extra shot that could prove the difference.
Sabalenka, having faced that 11 times now, will know full well just how frustrating it can be, especially as Gauff only seems to be improving in every other area of her game too.
This could have contributed to Sabalenka’s controversial post-match comments about Gauff, and if she would have won the final if Iga Swiatek taken the Belarusian’s place.
But if the American can pair a flawless technique with this mentality and physicality, it’s a wonder who can stop her.
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