Tennis legend John McEnroe has praised Coco Gauff for her ability to “adapt” following her maiden Grand Slam triumph at the 2023 US Open.
The former world No 1 also questioned Gauff’s critics and declared that “anyone who knows anything about tennis has seen the progress she has made.”
Gauff defeated Aryna Sabalenka, who became world No 1 this week, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the title match at Flushing Meadows to prevail in her second major final.
The 19-year-old has climbed to a career-high WTA Ranking of world No 3 following her Grand Slam breakthrough.
The American has been superb since her opening round exit at Wimbledon, winning three titles and 18 of her last 19 matches. She added Brad Gilbert and Pere Riba to her coaching team ahead of the North American hard-court swing.
During the trophy presentation and in her press conference following her US Open victory, Gauff revealed she had been motivated by those who have criticised her online.
Speaking to Eurosport, McEnroe referenced Gauff’s response to her doubters and expressed his surprise that some did not believe she would become a champion.
“It is obviously great for Americans. I’m not sure what Mats and I can add when you have the likes of Roger Federer and Serena Williams, the Obamas paying tribute. I mean, come on,!” said the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion.
“I heard Coco talking about the people who were writing her off and saying that she was never going to win a major. Who were those people? I’m not familiar with those people because I think her progress has been steady.
“It has been really positive, and she was in the final of the French. Okay, so there were a couple of stumbling blocks along the way, but I don’t think anyone didn’t think she was going to win a bunch of majors.
“So, well done, Coco Gauff because, at the end of the day, Sabalenka came out on fire and was hitting the ball absolutely huge. She had a chance in the first game of the second set to get the early break, but she did not do so. That allowed Gauff and her athleticism into this.”
Tennis great Mats Wilander also struggled to understand the criticism of the American, but suggested it could be due to her forehand technique.
“I heard that in the speech too and I was going to ask, and you brought it up. I can’t imagine that there were people in America that thought she was not going to win a Slam,” declared the former world No 1.
“I mean, where does that come from? Is that her forehand, the longer swing on the forehand and that maybe she would not be able to control it at some point?”
McEnroe then questioned the tennis knowledge of Gauff’s haters and responded to Wilander’s point about her forehand.
“I’m questioning whether people said it, or if it was a couple of people in a basement somewhere. You know – there was a tweet somewhere and someone said it,? added the American.
“Anyone who knows anything about tennis has seen the progress she has made, and she is 19 years old, for goodness sake. I mean, come on!
“Yes, perhaps the forehand with the big loop, but doesn’t [Daniil] Medvedev have a pretty big loop on his forehand? He is doing okay! So, there are players who adapt and do what they have to do to get the job done – and that’s what she did.”
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