After the insane highs of 2023 — that saw her win her first Grand Slam title at the US Open — Coco Gauff has had a disappointing 2024 by her lofty standards.
For many players, reaching the semi-finals of the Australian Open and French Open, and the fourth round of both Wimbledon and the US Open, would be a career-year.
Not former world no. 2 Gauff, who had big expectations of winning her second major championship in 2024 but frustratingly came up short when it mattered most – including her first ever Olympics.
Her latest disappointment came on the familiar hard courts of Flushing Meadows, New York.
The 20-year-old was aiming to become the first woman to retain her US Open crown since idol Serena Williams in 2014, but ultimately fell to compatriot Emma Navarro 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 at the fourth round stage.
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Tennis legend John McEnroe knows a thing or two about winning Grand Slams.
While speaking at a recent Eurosport event, the seven-time major winner said three things have cost Gauff of late, chiefly, the Olympics, off-court distractions, and coaching.
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“I’ve noticed she has been on a lot of commercials, so they’ve got to balance that with giving her time to work on her game and feel super confident again,” he said.
“You can tell she’s not feeling that right now.”