‘Hope You Don’t Lose Her’- Burdened With Expectations, Coco Gauff’s Struggles Before Stardom Hit Her Unveiled by Former American Tennis Legend

Published 11/03/2023, 3:08 AM EDT

American sensation Coco Gauff has impressed children, youth, and legends alike with her US Open win. But her career is much more than winning one Grand Slam, as she oozes maturity, confidence, and hunger to achieve more and contribute to society. After winning her first Slam, the American teen focused on bettering her play without getting swayed by her success. Lindsay Davenport has become a huge admirer of Gauff for handling the success perfectly and balancing her schedule, and recently, she spilled the beans on how confident she remains in the American youngster.

Davenport offered her detailed and expert analysis of the before and after events of Gauff winning the major at Flushing Meadows. But the Hall of Famer is also worried for the teen and shared and recalled her thoughts about the consequences of expectations on the teenager.

Lindsay Davenport spilled the beans on why she was concerned about the teen

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The match of the 2022 WTA Finals repeated this year as Gauff lost to her archrival, Iga Swiatek. Coincidentally, the American champion lost by a similar margin as the Pole star bagged a bagel both times. But the events and Gauff’s play have changed drastically. Davenport has been following the matches of the doubles World No.1 since her debut. So, she knows the teen’s potential and what might happen if expectations go overboard.

In a Tennis Channel podcast hosted by Mitch Michals, Davenport appreciated Gauff for choosing the right path after winning her first Slam. However, she was worried about the implications of the early success. She said, “I remember thinking, ‘Oh my Gosh, I hope you don’t lose her. You know, I hope, like, overplaying and all the expectations and all these things on such an amazing talent.”

Davenport continued, ”Listen, we have seen it a lot in women’s tennis and I remember thinking, ‘Gosh! I hope this doesn’t happen.’ ” When the World No.3 made all the right choices that suited her, the American legend was relieved. But the 6-time Grand Slam winner recalled how the teenager might have felt during the fall of 2022.

The Hall of Famer dived into the tournaments Gauff played after the New York Slam in 2022. The rising star played three tournaments after making it to the quarter-final of the Flushing Meadows. In all three tournaments, Gauff lost in the quarter-finals. Though she made it to the WTA Finals, she could not win a single match. So, Davenport compared both years and revealed the solution for keeping Gauff in the loop for as long as possible.

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Davenport broke down the triumph of Coco Gauff over adversity

Sharing her perspective on the American top seed’s game, the legend said, ”Last fall was a really tough time if you are a Gauff fan watching her play.” The Olympic Gold winner continued, ”You know if you looked at her, any of the replays, if you look in her eyes, she did not look happy.” But Gauff turned the tables for herself and even achieved a new career-high.

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Davenport shared that she loved the trajectory of Gauff after clinching her debut Slam. The legend also lauded the teen for not being greedy for wins and money. The 3-time Grand Slam singles winner gave a shout-out to the 19-year-old’s family and team for being her constant support.

The Hall of Famer admitted loving Gauff from her debut match itself. She expressed her wish to watch the teen playing in her mid-30s as well. For that, Davenport suggested that the responsibility lies within the tennis community to keep Gauff happy and fresh and allow her to celebrate every goal since she held the racket. The American champion is the nation’s next big hope – and even the country’s biggest stakeholders realize that.

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Gauff even received a bipartisan resolution in her name by the US Senate honoring her US Open win as a teenager. After Serena Williams, the US is relying on Gauff to fill the void and that is only possible if the teenager gets acknowledgment and recognition instead of pressure and stringent standards.

WATCH THIS STORY: Surprising ‘Marriage Proposal’ Surfaced By Coco Gauff After Her Win Against Ons Jabeur At WTA Finals

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Written by:

Vadlamani Krishna Priya is a tennis writer at Essentially Sports. Pursuing her passion for storytelling, she has a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. Helped by her cousin who introduced her to the rules and regulations of the game during her childhood, Roger Federer matches became Priya's gateway to the world of tennis.

Edited by:

Mitali Dey

‘Hope You Don’t Lose Her’- Burdened With Expectations, Coco Gauff’s Struggles Before Stardom Hit Her Unveiled by Former American Tennis Legend

Lindsay Davenport spilled the beans on why she was concerned about the teen

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Davenport broke down the triumph of Coco Gauff over adversity