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‘Superbrat’ John McEnroe Dishes Out Real ‘Chris Evert’ Advice to 18-Year-Old Coco Gauff Amidst ‘Lofty Expectations’

Published 01/04/2023, 1:17 PM EST

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John McEnroe, the legendary American tennis star recently shared his views on America’s rising sensation, Coco Gauff, in an exclusive interview. The ‘SuperBrat’ spoke about Gauff’s career path and chances of success in the singles campaign before the 2023 Australian Open. He tried his best to motivate the star to give her best by comparing her with another legendary player, Chris Evert.

Gauff has already surged into the top 10 of the WTA Tour rankings in 2022. She achieved the No.1 doubles ranking in the world and advanced to her first Grand Slam singles final.

McEnroe shares his unfiltered views on the American star, Coco Gauff

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McEnroe, known for his fiery personality and antics on the tennis court, has recently offered some words of wisdom to the young American tennis sensation Coco Gauff. Gauff, who shot to fame after a stunning run at Wimbledon in 2019 at just 15, has faced “lofty expectations” and pressure to perform at a high level. At a recent interview with Eurosport, McEnroe was asked about Gauff and the pressure she has faced. Rather than dwelling on the negative, McEnroe had some sage advice for the 18-year-old.

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McEnroe shared that it hasn’t happened as fast as some people think, but it’s still an upward trajectory. He said she had significantly improved and she will make huge waves on court this year.

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The SuperBrat was careful not to overburden the young athlete before the season’s opening Grand Slam at Melbourne Park. But there is a tremendous upside for her if she can keep improving and growing as a player, including the potential to win majors.

‘Bad for the Sport of Tennis’ – John McEnroe’s Controversial Take on a 15-Year-Old Coco Gauff Possibly Thrashing Naomi Osaka

In the interview, McEnroe added, “There are certain things that need to take place in her head and her game. Chris Evert knows a thing or two about winning majors, so perhaps they can carve out some time to work on some things, I think that’s a great idea.” 

This advice is reminiscent of the mentality of Chris Evert, one of the greatest female tennis players of all time. Evert, known for her calm and composed demeanor on the court, always emphasized the importance of enjoying the journey and not getting too caught up with the pressure to win.

McEnroe further added that she needs to adopt a ‘less is more’ approach. He suggests that she spends time with her friends and family.

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Gauff and McEnroe once teamed up in a pre-US Open charity exhibition match

At the US Open in August 2022, charity matches for Ukraine were played. The reaction to the event had been incredible. One of the matches was a crowd favorite. Rafael Nadal and Iga Swiatek faced off against John McEnroe and Coco Gauff in the Louis Armstrong Stadium.

Watch This Story: Rise of a superstar – Iga Swiatek’s victorious moments on the WTA tour

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Gauff’s partnership with McEnroe was a unique opportunity for the young star to learn from one of the all-time greats. McEnroe has always been a mentor and role model for up-and-coming tennis players.

Let us know what you think about American stars ahead of the 2023 Australian Open in your comments below.

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Written by:

Dr Aditya Raveendran Menon

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Aditya Menon is a Tennis Author at EssentiallySports. A dentist by profession, he developed an unbridled love for tennis from the moment his father introduced him to the sport. Watching Roger Federer dominate the ATP tour with his unique and effortless style played a pivotal role in pushing Aditya to write about tennis for national publications.
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Edited by:

Tony Thomas