Maria Sharapova expects 'full package' Coco Gauff to 'handle ups and downs brilliantly' after US Open win
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Updated 28/09/2023 at 07:59 GMT
Coco Gauff is set to play her first tournament since winning the US Open as she competes at the China Open next week. Gauff, 19, won her first major title in New York and Maria Sharapova, who won her maiden Grand Slam at the age of 17, has backed the American to "handle the ups and downs brilliantly" in the years ahead. Sharapova also says Gauff is the "full package".
Watch the moment Gauff wins her first slam title with victory over Sabalenka at US Open
Maria Sharapova thinks Coco Gauff has “the ability to transcend” tennis following her US Open win and has described her success as a “beautiful story”.
Gauff, 19, enjoyed a tremendous summer as she won titles in Washington DC and Cincinnati before her first major victory in New York.
It was a breakthrough that has felt a while coming after a 15-year-old Gauff burst onto the scene by beating Venus Williams at Wimbledon in 2019.
Sharapova, who won Wimbledon as a 17-year-old in 2004, says she was “so happy” to see Gauff win the US Open and thinks she has a very bright future.
“I have been saying for years that I think she has the ability to transcend the sport into so many [areas], bridging entertainment, sport and culture, and fashion,” Sharapova
.
“She has such a great voice and is an amazing competitor, which is just like the full package. And it came together for her in New York City.”
Gauff is the third first-time Grand Slam winner on the WTA Tour this season and the sixth in the last three years.
However, while some players have struggled to replicate their success after winning their first major, Sharapova does not think that will happen to Gauff.
“I think her journey has been interesting. From the age of 16 she has been the prospect and the target and everyone believed that she would get there.
“It’s perhaps taken a little bit longer but I think for her that may be helpful because it took a few years to figure it out, as opposed to coming out on top at the very beginning and then being so surprised by everything that comes her way.
“She has a great team and the genuine support from her parents is very evident.
“It’s a beautiful story. Does that mean she is going to go out and win every Grand Slam? This is sport, that never happens, you end up losing a few more than you win. But those wins are very special and I am sure she will handle the ups and downs brilliantly.”
Sharapova also said that she would like to see Ons Jabeur win her first Grand Slam title.
Jabeur has lost in three major finals over the last two seasons, including Wimbledon twice.
“I’m rooting for Ons to win her first Grand Slam,” said Sharapova. “She deserves that so much.”
Five-time major champion Sharapova retired from tennis in early 2020.
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Coco Gauff arriving in Beijing
Image credit: Getty Images
Not only does she think women’s tennis is in good hands with Gauff, but she also thinks the future of men’s tennis is “so exciting”.
“I love seeing the younger generation, can’t even call [Carlos] Alcaraz younger generation because he’s already at the top, but there’s an aura about the men’s game that’s very evident.
“My last coach of my career also coached [Jannik] Sinner so I got to play with him for a bit, so I am always rooting for him. I like his humble approach to the sport.
“They are all so different, they have different styles of play, different personalities, they are from different parts of the world.
“It’s just fun to see these rivalries come together. I think the men’s game is in a good state.”
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