Coco Gauff burst into tears. After emerging as a tennis phenomenon at the tender age of 15, after a year full of hope and hype, she had just been decisively knocked out by a dominant defending champion at the 2019 US Open, and the prospect of making it into the post-match microphone seemed too much .
Then her opponent appeared on her shoulder. « I’m here for you, » said Naomi Osaka and they ended the emotional interview together.
Osaka is in dire straits after pulling out of the 2021 French Open due to mental health concerns and a public argument with Grand Slam officials over compulsory press conference attendance.
And it is 17-year-old Gauff, who pledges her support for Osaka and offers a shoulder to lean on – and sets off as an increasingly viable contender to end these fortnight with a trophy in the air.
« For me is Mental health is an important issue for me, « Gauff said this week as the situation unfolded in Osaka. « I sent her a public message and then a private message.
» You know, just contact her if she needs support and let her know that it is important for me to have someone to listen .
« When she needs someone to listen, I’m here. But I only wish her the best and I just hope that we can help her as a tour. ”
On the pitch, Gauff takes care – who won her second title at a clay court warm-up tournament in Italy last month, making it a career high-ranking list of Reached # 25 and is ranked 24th at Roland Garros – dealing with the deal in a way reminiscent of Osaka during their rise to the top of the game.
Gauff went 6-3 on Thursday , 7-6 (1) victory over Chinese Wang Qiang in the third round and improved to 14-3 this year on clay. On Saturday there is a duel with the American compatriot Jennifer Brady (who fell in the final of the Australian Open and in last year’s US Open semifinals against Osaka).
Part with Ash Barty, the top seeded big name who disappears from the field Gauff five more victories from joining the ranks of the great champions of Osaka as the Comforter who became the console. What kind of an end to a bizarre tournament would that be.
© 2021 NYP Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved
Terms of Use
Data protection
Your ad choices
Page index
Your California Privacy Rights
Don’t sell my personal information
Keywords:
