At barely 15 years old, Corey “Coco” Gauff burst onto the tennis scene back in 2019 at the Wimbledon Championships. It was there that she became the youngest player in Wimbledon’s history to qualify for the main draw.
In the first round, she captured the hearts of tennis fans worldwide when she defeated her childhood hero, Venus Williams. She went all the way through to the 4th round, and fans and players alike hailed her as the “Next Serena” – a moniker that is proving to be incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to live up to.
Nearly four years later, she is ranked World No. 6 on the WTA Tour, and deservedly so. She’s won multiple titles and reached the 2022 Roland Garros women’s singles final, losing to World No. 1 Iga Swiatek. She has also played in two major finals in doubles and currently holds the World No. 1 spot. But despite these impressive achievements, many fans have labeled her “overrated.”
Really?? Is this a fair assessment or a case of unrealistic (and unfair!) expectations?
It hasn’t even been four years, but people are already using the “O” word. In comparison, the ATP’s World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz is held to different standards than those applied to Gauff. Although both players are teen sensations, fans are touting Alcaraz as the next GOAT. Still, others criticize Gauff for not living up to the expectations set by her early success.
As the “Next Serena,” Coco has had to balance the weight of the tennis world’s hopes, the media’s constant attention, and the pressure of competing against the world’s best players, along with everything that comes with being a teenager who has hopes, dreams, and goals of her own. Those fans are obviously not considering that tennis legends like Serena Williams and Roger Federer took years to find their footing and reach their full potential.
Fans should celebrate Coco’s early success and understand that her journey has just begun. They should recognize that the 19-year-old’s achievements thus far are impressive and indicative of her immense talent. The ” overrated ” label should never be applied to someone so young and with such a promising career ahead.
Rather than comparing Coco Gauff to legends and imposing unrealistic expectations, we should appreciate her journey and allow her the space to grow, develop, and reach her full potential.
What are your thoughts? Please share in the comments below π