US Open
“Like July 4th”: US cheers for Gauff and a trio
Crazy even the Obamas: Coco Gauff. photo
© Frank Franklin II/AP/dpa
Coco Gauff inspires US tennis fans – from Barack Obama to Justin Bieber. The American can dream at the US Open and is happy about the unexpected success of her male colleagues.
The Obamas give her advice, Justin Bieber cheers for her – and the fans at the US Open love it Coco Gauff. On a “big day for American men’s tennis” (“New York Post”), for once, the 19-year-old young star in Flushing Meadows was not alone in the headlines.
In addition to Gauff, three US professionals stormed into the quarterfinals at the home tournament, more than since 2005. “It’s really great, I’m so happy,” enthused the world number six about the successes of her colleagues. “It’s really exciting for tennis in America.”
On her way to the desired first Grand Slam title, Gauff ended the US Open comeback of the mother of two Caroline Wozniacki (33) from Denmark 6: 3, 3: 6, 6: 1. Frances Tiafoe (25) and Ben Shelton (20) from the US team also made it through and now meet each other. In addition, Taylor Fritz (25) 7: 6 (7: 2), 6: 4, 6: 4 against the Swiss Dominic Stricker (21) was the only player to reach the quarter-finals without losing a set – and is now challenging the top favorite Novak Djokovic.
Praise Djokovic
“Three Americans in the quarterfinals, that’s great for American tennis. Everyone has a strong serve, they’re aggressive,” praised Djokovic, but said with confidence: “I’m ready”. The “New York Times” proclaimed Tennis Independence Day with a headline out of sheer jubilation: “At the US Open it feels like July 4th.” Since Andy Roddick’s triumph 20 years ago, American men’s tennis has been waiting for a win at the US Open.
For women, Gauff has long been chosen as the legitimate heir to the icons Serena and Venus Williams – and has risen to the rank of a top star even without a Grand Slam title. At their evening games, the number of celebrities in the grandstand is particularly high – from pop star Justin Bieber to boxing legend Mike Tyson to actor Danny DeVito.
Advice from the Obamas
Even former US President Barack Obama and wife Michelle applauded their arduous opening win over Laura Siegemund and then met Gauff in the catacombs of Arthur Ashe Stadium. “You gave me good advice,” she proudly revealed afterwards. “I will never forget that day in my life.”
In 2019, at the age of 15, Gauff qualified at the grass classic in Wimbledon as the youngest participant in the history of the tournament, managed a sensational victory over Venus Williams and made it to the round of 16. Last year, Gauff was in her first Grand Slam final at the French Open, but so far there has been no great success.
Two days in July could change that. After the sobering first round in Wimbledon this summer, Gauff didn’t leave her hotel room for so long, ordered food and used the time to think. “I completely changed my mentality,” she said. With more aggressiveness and coaching legend Brad Gilbert at her side, she has since won two out of three tournaments. At the dress rehearsal in Cincinnati, she defeated the defending US Open champion Iga Swiatek. The Pole surprisingly failed in New York late on Sunday evening due to Latvian Jelena Ostapenko, who now wants to stop Gauff’s run.
“Coco is coming”
Her colleagues also rave about the American who lives in Florida. “Coco is coming,” said 23-time Grand Slam tournament winner Djokovic, analyzing her career in the first week of the tournament: “It takes time to feel like a complete player so that you’re ready to win slams and to dominate the game. She’s very close to that level. That’s why I have high hopes for her at the US Open – and she should have.”
What can stop Gauff in New York? At least the visit of a certain pop star would throw her off badly, she revealed: “Definitely Beyoncé. If she ever came, oh my god, I hope they don’t show up on the screen. Maybe in the end.”