26 January 2024 , 12:30
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John McEnroe is unsure if he agrees with Coco Gauff's claim about having detractors who motivated her during a historic US Open win.
The teenager joined tennis’ elite club of Grand Slam champions when she defeated Aryna Sabalenka to claim the title at Flushing Meadows in September 2023. She entered the final major of the year in great form having won the Washington and Cincinnati titles before arriving in New York.
Despite being under enormous pressure and expectation from home fans, overcame some tough tests before defeating the Belarusian 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 to secure the biggest win of her career. During the trophy presentation, she sent a strong message to those who did not believe in her, admitting she knew their usernames on social media platform X.
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“Honestly, thank you to the people who didn’t believe in me,” Gauff said. “Like a month ago, I won a 500 title and people said I would stop at that. Two weeks ago, I won a 1000 title and people were saying that was the biggest I was going to get. So three weeks later, I’m here with this trophy right now. I tried my best to carry this with grace and I’ve been doing my best.
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“So honestly, to those who thought [they] were putting water on my fire, you’re really adding gas to it. And now I’m really burning so bright right now.”
McEnroe, who provided commentary for Eurosport, was delighted with Gauff’s victory but he doubted her comments about having critics she needed to silence. "I heard Coco talking about the people who were writing her off and saying that she was never going to win a major. Who were those people?” McEnroe said. "I'm not familiar with those people because I think her progress has been steady. It has been really positive, and she was in the final of the French [Open]. OK, so there were a couple of stumbling blocks along the way, but I don't think anyone didn't think she was going to win a bunch of majors.”
Coco Gauff won her first Grand Slam at the 2023 US Open (mpi04/MediaPunch/IPx)Before Gauff’s Grand Slam win, members of the tennis world were wondering when she was going to break through at the highest level after bursting on the scene as a 15-year-old at Wimbledon in 2019. She reached her first Grand Slam final at the 2022 French Open but was convincingly beaten by Iga Swiatek 6-1, 6-3.
In 2023 Gauff hit arguably the lowest point of her season when she exited Wimbledon in the first round. Changes were made over the summer as Brad Gilbert became her coach. Gauff went on to have the summer of her life and has maintained that form.
McEnroe has insisted that those doubters know very little about tennis, as he praised Gauff and the progress she has made having been playing professionally for several years despite still being a teenager. "I'm questioning whether people said it, or if it was a couple of people in a basement somewhere,” McEnroe added.
Gauff is on a quest to win her first Australian Open title (AFP via Getty Images)“You know – there was a tweet somewhere and someone said it? Anyone who knows anything about tennis has seen the progress she has made, and she is 19 years old, for goodness sake. I mean, come on! Yes, perhaps the forehand with the big loop, but doesn't Medvedev have a pretty big loop on his forehand? He is doing OK!
“So, there are players who adapt and do what they have to do to get the job done – and that's what she did." Gauff had the chance to win her second Grand Slam at the 2024 Australian Open but was beaten by Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals.