It is easy to forget that Coco Gauff is still only 21 years old when you look at her achievements on the Tour.
The American is currently competing in her 25th Grand Slam main draw at the Australian Open, with her first appearance coming at the 2019 Wimbledon Championships when she was only 15. She is a former US Open and reigning French Open champion, with a total of 11 WTA titles to her name. This doesn’t count her success in doubles, where she has been ranked as high as No.1 in the world and has a major title to her name.
Gauff moved into the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park on Sunday with a roller-coaster 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 win over Karolina Muchova. A potentially lucky charm for the world No.3, who has always gone on to win a title after beating the Czech at a tournament.
“I think it just happens to be like that because I have played her in the later rounds,” Gauff replied when asked about the record.
“I don’t think I’m going to think about that, but if I do win, then I guess I have her to thank.”
This year, Gauff is not the youngest player to make it to the last eight of a major. That honor goes to compatriot Iva Jovic, who is only 18 years old. Two years ago, Jovic won the Australian Open junior doubles title.
Despite there being a three-year age difference between them, many regard Gauff as the more experienced player with greater wisdom. Although asking somebody in their early 20s a question about the next generation of players does feel surreal.
“The way people ask the questions makes it seem like I’m way older than them, but I have been around longer,” Gauff explains about her peers on Tour.
“I think it’s just the idea that I have been on tour for six, seven years at this point, just because I had a bit of an early start.
“It definitely feels like I’m the same age because obviously I talk to them. We’re interested in the same things and stuff like that, but it’s always funny when people ask me the question (about what advice she would give). I usually don’t have anything to say because I’m still figuring it out, just like they are.”
As of January 25th, there are five players in the top 20 aged under 22 in the WTA live rankings. Besides Gauff, there are Mirra Andreeva (7), Linda Novoska (11), Victoria Mboko (13) and Jovic (20).
“I feel more of a relief now that younger players are doing better. When I was 15, there weren’t many people around that were my age. It was very lonely for me, honestly.” Said Gauff.
“It’s great to have more people of my age range doing better and I can see them at tournaments more.
“I felt like the last couple of years on Tour have been some of my happiest, even though maybe the tennis has been up and down, just because you see more friendly faces in the locker room that you can actually be with.
“Obviously there is Jess (Pegula) and Maddie (Keys), but they’re a little bit older, so we don’t always connect on the same things.”
Gauff is the youngest player to reach a women’s Singles Grand Slam quarter-finals six years in a row since Martina Hingis.
