Whether you call it alteration or adaption, Coco Gauff has seemingly made an impact in both realms. That’s Jessica Pegula’s opinion, just in case Gauff’s progress had gone unnoticed by the tennis world. Pegula has decided to team up with the World No. 2 for several doubles matches, recognizing Gauff’s remarkable journey as an athlete and friend.
The 20-year-old made waves in the tennis world last year. She made history at the Arthur Ashe Stadium by becoming the second-youngest American woman (aged 19) to win the US Open since Serena Williams’ victory in 1999. Gauff’s growth has attracted significant attention, with Pegula sharing her thoughts on Gauff’s development as an athlete.
Before her participation in the Canadian Open, Pegula spoke at a pre-tournament press conference where she was asked about Gauff’s progress. The 30-year-old acknowledged that the reigning Flushing Meadows champion has come a long way. Pegula also noted that Gauff is confident in expressing her needs and desires, showing maturity and self-assurance.
For those who may not know, Pegula and Gauff recently teamed up for their first doubles appearance at the Olympics in Paris. Despite their previous success at the 2023 Miami Open, where they became the first all-American duo in 22 years to win, their performance at the quadrennial event did not meet expectations.
They were defeated by Karolina Muchova and Linda Noskova of Czech Republic in the second round. Although fans hoped to see more collaborations between the pair in the WTA, it seems that they have ended their partnership for now.
Their disappointing finish at the Paris Olympics has had its repercussions for Pegula and Gauff. According to the updated players’ schedule at the WTA Toronto, the two will not be playing together in another exciting team-up at the event. While the 30-year-old will be participating in doubles with a different partner, Gauff has chosen to focus solely on singles. This means that the duo may face each other in the upcoming rounds, as they did in the 2023 quarterfinals.
While Gauff’s decision to not participate in doubles may allow her to fully focus on her potential at the US Open, it raises concerns about her partnership with Pegula. Hopefully, if any issues exist between them, they can resolve them and be seen playing together again soon!
Photo from Coco Gauff Instagram
