Mike Bryan has shared his thoughts on what he expects from Coco Gauff at the US Open.
The 20-year-old is set for a busy summer of tennis as she competes in her first Olympic games before trying to successfully defend her title at Flushing meadows.
Gauff has had a steady year and she is currently at a career-high ranking of number two in the world.
But after a disappointing fourth-round exit at Wimbledon and going without a title since January, the American is keen to earn some more silverware over the next two months.
Mike Bryan makes Coco Gauff prediction for the US Open
Bryan won 22 Grand Slams in his career alongside brother Bob, six of which came at the US Open.
They also claimed the Olympic gold in 2012 and he certainly knows a thing or two about competing at those events.
As Gauff embarks on winning a gold medal of her own and trying to defend her US Open crown, the 46-year-old thinks she has something to prove this summer and backs her to win successive titles in New York.
“She’s going to be good on the clay, I think that’s maybe one of her favourite surfaces, so I think she’s got something to prove,” Byran told Tennis 365. “I think she loves playing for her country and she’ll put in a really good performance.
“I think she’s playing mixed doubles, doubles, and singles, so she’s got a lot of options to do well. And I think she can defend the Open, why not?”
Coco Gauff wants to win Olympic gold for her nation
Gauff will enter the Paris Olympic Games determined to win Olympic gold for multiple reasons.
She was denied the chance to play at the Tokyo Games in 2021 due to testing positive for coronavirus the day she was due to leave for Japan. Three years later, the player finally gets her chance to battle for a coveted piece of hardware.
Furthermore, the Olympics tennis event will take place at Roland Garros, where the French Open is held each year.
Gauff has a strong record at the clay court Grand Slam, where she he reached the final in 2022. Her last three defeats there have all come against Iga Swiatek, who claimed the title on each occasion.
With the Pole the favourite to claim the gold medal, Gauff has a monumental challenge on her hands, but it is certainly one she can rise to.
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