Coco Gauff is looking to put a miserable Wimbledon campaign behind her and return to winning ways at the Canadian Open.
Gauff secured her second Grand Slam title in June after defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the final of the French Open.
However, she suffered a shock first round exit at Wimbledon, losing in straight sets to Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska.
The American star has not played a WTA Tour match since appearing on Centre Court, and she is set to face compatriot Danielle Collins in the second round of the Canadian Open.
Americans are thriving on the WTA Tour, with five players now in the top 15. Gauff discussed this matter ahead of the Canadian Open, referencing the effect of Venus and Serena Williams on modern day tennis in America.
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty ImagesCoco Gauff discusses the rise of America’s female tennis contingent
Speaking at her pre-tournament press conference in Montreal, Coco Gauff spoke of the Williams sisters’ influence on the growth of tennis in America, while noting a camaraderie between the current female crop.
Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Amanda Anisimova, Madison Keys and Emma Navarro are all within the top 11 ranked players on the WTA Tour.
Gauff, who was asked about a ‘surge’ in recent years, said: “I guess if we go long effect, for sure the Williams sisters for making tennis more of a popular sport for people to play in the US.
“Obviously, we have great icons like Chrissy Evert and Lindsay Davenport, but I didn’t grow up watching them and I don’t know if a lot of the players right now in the top 10 grew up watching them just because of the age difference, nothing against them.
“Also, I think tennis is a very popular sport among women, so a lot of our best athletes will probably choose to play tennis or track or something like that, whereas the men in the US for sure is basketball and football. So a lot of the better athletes will choose that sport.
“So, I think it’s that and also just us seeing each other do well. You see one person do well and you have probably beaten them in a practice set a long time ago, and you’re like ‘if they have made a Grand Slam final then I can too.’ We have that camaraderie among us.
Also, behind the scenes we are all friendly with each other. We all root for each other and practice with each other a lot. I think we help elevate each other. So, it’s great to see American tennis doing well on both sides but especially on the women’s side.
Could an American woman win the 2025 US Open singles title?
If you base this line of discourse around the current WTA rankings, it would certainly seem likely.
There is also precedent. There have been two Grand Slam winners at the three events so far this year, with Madison Keys winning her maiden title at the Australian Open and Coco Gauff battling her way to victory at the French Open.
Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
The Americans almost made it three from three. Amanda Anisimova reached the final of Wimbledon, only to be handily beaten by Iga Swiatek.
Swiatek and Sabalenka represent the largest threat to the American contingent; both players have won the tournament previously.
However, despite her Wimbledon collapse, Coco Gauff should again be a stronger contender at the US Open. The unwavering support of the New York faithful and the valuable experience of her previous triumph in 2023 will help aid the American when attempting to claim her second US Open title in three years.