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Debate

Is John McEnroe's pressure on Coco Gauff fair, or is it setting her up for failure?

Coco Gauff has big plans for her 2024 summer campaign! The American star is scheduled to feature in the 2024 Paris Olympics for the first time after missing Tokyo 2020 due to COVID-19. Later, the reigning US Open champion will also eye to defend her Flushing Meadows title this season. A lot is on the line already, but the young World No. 2 will have even more responsibility put on her shoulders.

With exciting events lined up in her summer calendar, men’s doubles star Mike Bryan opined that Gauff has “something to prove” as she looks to clinch at least one Olympic medal in the event’s singles, doubles, or mixed doubles category. With this, the 20-year-old will be seemingly subjected to high expectations as she looks to make her mark and make her country proud.

Mike Bryan believes Coco Gauff has “something to prove” with “lot of options to do well”

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Speaking exclusively with ‘Tennis 365’, 22-time Grand Slam champion Mike Bryan suggested that the Olympics’ red clay surface might favor Coco Gauff. She reached the last four at Roland Garros and even last year, she had a winning 35-14 record. No wonder Bryan is impressed, “She’s going to be good on the clay, I think that’s maybe one of her favorite surfaces, so I think she’s got something to prove. It’s going to be fun to help the guys at the Olympics.”

The retired ATP star also highlighted how her options give her a better chance of winning at least one medal, “I think she loves playing for her country and she’ll put in a really good performance. I think she’s playing mixed doubles, doubles, and singles, so she’s got a lot of options to do well.”

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And afterward come back to Flushing Meadows, “And I think she can defend the Open, why not?” But the problem is, while Gauff has been doing well in doubles, winning Roland Garros with Katerina Siniakova, her singles performance has yet to yield a title. Nevertheless, she has risen up a rank from 3 to 2, and has previously voiced her motivation for the 2024 Olympic Games.

After missing out on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to a positive test for COVID-19, Gauff addressed her vision for the upcoming event in the French capital. “One of the goals I wrote down on my vision thing, vision note, in my phone, was to win a medal in the Olympics.” However, the American tennis sensation hit a snag recently, which could likely cloud her confidence at the Olympics which commences on Friday, July 26.

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Is John McEnroe's pressure on Coco Gauff fair, or is it setting her up for failure?

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The World No. 2 suffered an upsetting loss at the Wimbledon Championships. Gauff was handed a straight-set defeat by compatriot Emma Navarro in the event’s fourth round. This, by far, was her worst slam result across the board in the past 12 months. Although the American champ has big plans for her upcoming adventure at the multi-sport event, her recent performances might pose a challenge for her to produce effective results.

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Meanwhile, her counterparts are more than eager to tackle a formidable challenge in Paris!

Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz will lead Team USA in Paris

American tennis stars Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz will lead the line for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics. To much amazement, the San Diego native will also mark his maiden appearance at the event.

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During an interview with PEOPLE, the 26-year-old expressed his excitement to perform at the Olympic Games for the first time. The former World No. 5 highlighted that he has always welcomed opportunities where he can represent his country. “I always loved team sports and I’ve always loved to represent Team USA in Davis Cup and the United Cup, so this is the ultimate. I’m just looking forward to the whole experience and being around so many incredible athletes,” Fritz said.

Along with Gauff and Fritz, Team USA includes the likes of Jessica Pegula, Tommy Paul, and Chris Eubanks. They will likely utilize this opportunity to fetch a gold medal for their nation and hopefully, present a united front at the much-awaited event!