Rennae Stubbs made a strong prediction about Coco Gauff ahead of the Olympic Games.
The 20-year-old is in pursuit of just her second title in 2024 when heads to Paris to compete in her first Olympics.
Gauff was denied the chance to play at the delayed Tokyo Games in 2021 when she contracted coronavirus before she was due to leave for the Japanese capital.
After crushing defeats at the French Open and Wimbledon the World number two has a chance to create some Olympic history and add to her country’s storied legacy at the prestigious sports event.
Rennae Stubbs makes a confident Olympic prediction about Coco Gauff
Gauff has enjoyed a solid 2024 season in which she reached a career-high ranking of World number two.
She also produced her best result at the Australian Open by reaching the semi-finals and once again made the last four at French Open.
Gauff faces a tough task as Iga Swiatek will be the overwhelming favourite to win the gold medal, but Stubbs strongly believes the US Open champion is a top contender for a medal.
“We know Iga Swiatek is going to be the one to beat at the Olympics because it’s at Roland Garros, where she doesn’t lose a lot of tennis matches!” Stubbs told the French Connection Podcast. “There’s no doubt that Iga wants to win a gold medal for Poland.
“That would be an enormous thing for her country and for her. But there’s no doubt that Coco Gauff will be pushing for a medal, she plays well on the clay, and her and Jessica Pegula have had success in doubles.”
Coco Gauff wants to follow in the footsteps of an icon at the Paris Olympics
Gauff is very excited to be competing in the Olympic Games for the first time. She aims to join Jennifer Capriati, Lindsay Davenport, Venus and Serena Williams on the list of American women to win the Olympic singles title.
The youngster is drawing on inspiration in particular from Serena, who is the last American female to win Olympic gold in 2012.
“While tennis is an individual sport, you relish the relationships with your teammates,” Gauff wrote in a letter on the NBC Olympics website. “You’ve been lucky enough that your on-court relationships have turned into off-court friendships.
“One of those notable friendships is with your idol, Serena Williams. Serena was once just a stranger printed on a poster hanging in your room, and now you still can’t believe she’s a friend and mentor.
“Her profound impact on tennis, what it means to be a champion and to break barriers is a legacy you hope to uphold and carry with you into your first Olympic Games.”
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