Nick Kyrgios has switched out the racket for the microphone this year, speaking to both defending champions Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff on court at the US Open.
The 2023 US Open champion was virtually ruled out of a successful title defense after a dismal start to the American hard court swing saw her fall in the WTA rankings.
In the lead up to last year’s final, Coco Gauff forged a wondrous run with titles in Washington and Cincinnati easing her perfectly into New York.
This year, admittedly with the Olympics as a unique obstacle, Gauff only managed one win out of three ahead of her opener at Flushing.
A thrashing at the hands of Diana Shnaider in Canada before Yulia Putintseva condemned Gauff to a similar fate in the Midwest allowed Aryna Sabalenka to replace her as world number two.
With two straight forward opening matches in New York so far, Gauff has managed to avert such a critical gaze, at least for now.
Nick Kyrgios has one thing to say about Coco Gauff
An active hub of controversy and drama, Nick Kyrgios is now forging an equally unique punditry career.
After injuries have sidelined the 2022 Wimbledon champion for a while, he has since taken up roles at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, with Kyrgios’ punditry outing in SW19 attracting praise.
This year actor Ben Stiller has also praised Kyrgios’ commentary duties with the two having had a hilarious in Indian Wells two years ago.
Having interviewed Gauff on court after her second round win over Tatjana Maria, Kyrgios simply tweeted: ‘Champion’ followed by a trophy emoji.
Gauff’s comeback win against Sabalenka last year was an emotional one, with the tennis world captured by the 20-year-old’s talent and grace.
Yet to be truly tested, Gauff’s nine match winning streak at Flushing might be in peril with former world number three Elina Svitolina her next opponent.
Can Coco Gauff defeat Elina Svitolina at the US Open?
With Gauff having evened up their head-to-head with a win in the Auckland final earlier this year, the third round clash is due to be the most thrilling.
The 20-year-old was in control in Toronto until she quickly wasn’t with Shnaider far too good on the day.
Svitolina has enjoyed a good run this year after having taken time off from professional tennis to give birth to her first child.
After making a strong comeback, she won a WTA Tour title as well as progressing to the French Open quarterfinals and the Wimbledon semi-finals in her first few tournaments back.
Having thumped recent Canadian Open champion Jessica Pegula at the Olympics, Svitolina is no stranger to competing right at the top.
Gauff will need to up her level if she is to make it through this one, but with the home roar, I suspect she might do just that.
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