What Coco Gauff and Billie Jean King were spotted doing ahead of the US Open

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Coco Gauff has been spotted with 12-time Grand Slam winner Billie Jean King ahead of her US Open title defence.

Gauff is seeded third at the US Open, with the American having clinched her one and only Grand Slam singles title at the event last year.

She defeated Aryna Sabalenka at the 2023 US Open, overcoming the Belarusian 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 in New York.

But Gauff should be worried about the US Open, with the 20-year-old bang out of form going into the Grand Slam.

The American has no hard court form to rely on after her miserable time at the Olympics, Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open.

Coco Gauff spotted with Billie Jean King at the US Open

Whether Gauff can recapture the magic from her successful 2023 run remains to be seen, but she is at least in high spirits ahead of the main draw.

Four-time US Open winner Billie Jean King has shared footage of the pair playing together in front of a huge crowd during fan week at Flushing Meadows.

Can Coco Gauff defend her US Open title?

Gauff stunned the world this time last year as she became the first American teenager to win the US Open since Serena Williams in 1999.

She produced a superb comeback to make it past Sabalenka, who quickly became world number one thanks to her efforts throughout the year.

But Gauff has failed thus far in attempting to win another Grand Slam, coming closest with her semi-final runs at the Australian Open and French Open this year.

The 20-year-old then fell at the fourth round at Wimbledon, and will be eager to end her major year on a high in New York.

But Sabalenka will be difficult to beat after her Cincinnati Open win, with world number Iga Swiatek also one to watch despite joining Gauff on a poor run of form.