Coco Gauff will go into this year’s US Open as one of the heavy favourites, despite having struggled to impress in the lead-up.
After all, she is the defending champion, and will be seeded third just behind Iga Swiatek and the Cincinnati Open champion Aryna Sabalenka.
John McEnroe is one such revered figure who still has high hopes for his compatriot, but admits there is one thing that still worries him.
John McEnroe reviews Coco Gauff’s coaching situation
Having suffered from a tough run of form ahead of the US Open, there are many doubting Coco Gauff’s chances of achieving success in her home Grand Slam.
That is, despite being the defending champion at the event.
Speaking to ESPN ahead of the tournament, at the US Open’s press release, McEnroe started by reviewing the behind-the-scenes struggles Gauff could be facing.
He first looked at the coaching: ‘I’m not a believer in the coaching thing. That’s just my personal opinion. I always liked the idea of trying to figure it out on your own. I think they’re sort of like punching bags, a lot of the coaches. You’re venting, that’s all you’re doing. Djokovic looks up and said: “Where should I return?” He’s the greatest returner that ever lived. Does he need someone to tell him where to return? No.
‘Coco is a great player. She can figure it out even if she doesn’t pay attention. As far as Brad knows, it’s hard to say what will happen. But honestly, Brad is one of the best coaches that’s been around. He’s coached some great players.
‘Maybe he’s an acquired taste, to a degree. The people that have acquired his taste have done very well. I think he should be in the Hall of Fame for his coaching, personally. I don’t think that’s the problem. If she decides in a year to try someone else, that’s her right, she’s the player.
‘Last year when he joined forces, there was a great run. I mean, she won the Open. I think she’s done an excellent job. She’s young. We’ll see what happens. The family, parents I’m sure, are still very involved. I don’t know the absolute machinations of what’s going on there. She has plenty of time to figure this out.’
Can Coco Gauff defend her US Open?
It is not going to be easy for Gauff to defend her title, a feat that has not been accomplished at the US Open since Serena Williams won three in a row between 2012 and 2014.
However, given how wide-open the women’s field is at the moment, she will arguably have no greater chance.
Especially after Gauff revealed what she had been doing in her US Open training ahead of the tournament.
Roland Garros was obviously won by Swiatek, but she shockingly faced Jasmine Paolini in the final, and it was the Italian there again in the Wimbledon final, where she lost to Barbora Krejčíková.
Then, at the Olympics, the world number one was the nailed-on favourite, but instead, it was Donna Vekic and Qinwen Zheng who battled it out for gold, with the latter coming out on top.
There have been more upsets and more surprise victors across the last few months than there have been in some time, and that has to count for something.
Gauff, despite her poor form, should remain confident that if she can avoid falling victim to this run, she can ease to another Grand Slam title.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
