Nearly 12 months have passed since Coco Gauff won the US Open title. Her memorable run as a 19-year-old created headlines all over the world. Unsurprisingly, many in the media expected her to kick on and quickly win further Grand Slam titles. However, the American has struggled at times since her triumph at Flushing Meadows last year. That means many have written off her chances already, but are these people dismissing Gauff too quickly?
Is Coco Gauff Being Written off too Quickly Before the US Open?
Gauff’s Recent Struggles
Gauff’s recent results explain why some fans and analysts do not rate her chances at the US Open this year. After losing to Emma Navarro in the Wimbledon fourth round, the 20-year-old could not win a medal at the Olympics despite entering the women’s singles, doubles, and mixed doubles with Taylor Fritz. She was among the favorites at all three events, making the disappointment more acute.
Since then, her performances have declined even further in her recent tournaments. She lost in the early rounds of the National Bank Open and the Cincinnati Open to Diana Shnaider and Yulia Putintseva, respectively. Gauff looked bereft of confidence, and her body language during those defeats was concerning, but the overall picture for the world No. 3 is not as bleak as many make out.
Gauff’s Overall Season Still Contains Positive Signs
The US Open champion’s performance decline at her last two tournaments is probably partially due to her not winning a medal at the Olympics. Gauff was the US flag bearer alongside LeBron James, and entering three events showed how much she wanted to secure a medal for her country. Being unable to do that undoubtedly hit her hard. That meant two WTA-1000 events afterward might have come too soon for her, but Gauff will undoubtedly be ready and motivated to defend her US Open title.
Although she has not been breathtaking this season, it is essential to remember the 20-year-old was not performing poorly in the season’s opening months of 2024. After starting the year by winning the ASB Classic, she reached the semifinals at the Australian Open, BNP Paribas Open, the Italian Open, and the French Open. That shows she was still challenging at big tournaments and coming close.
The final piece needed to win those events has been missing, but it is inaccurate to believe Gauff has been performing poorly all year. In fact, the opening six months were her most consistent start to a year. A few bad recent tournaments do not mean her chances at the US Open should be dismissed.
3. Gauff’s Best Level can Challenge at Either Hard Court Grand Slam
Aryna Sabalenka is the favorite for this year’s US Open. The two-time Australian Open winner deserves that title after being the most consistent player at hard-court Grand Slams in the last three years. But many seem to have forgotten that Gauff beat her in the final this year. A couple of bad results do not change the fact that she remains the same player who defeated such a high-quality opponent on the biggest of stages.
Gauff’s game on a hard court is blistering and breathtaking when flowing. The 20-year-old is bound to find that level again eventually. Will it be at the US Open? It is impossible to know for sure, but counting out a player of her quality after she won the title last year is unwise. Gauff is capable of proving the doubters wrong, as she has done before.
Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
