Chris Evert ranks Gauff ahead of Raducanu on list of WTA rising stars - "I think Coco is the best of that young group"

Coco Gauff has been described as the leader of women's tennis teenage generation, ahead of Emma Raducanu, according to former tennis star Chris Evert.

Gauff reached the final of this year’s Roland Garros but lost to World No.1 Iga Swiatek in straight sets. It was the 18-year-old’s first ever major final and Evert believes the American is doing “everything right” at this stage of her career. 

“I would say her career is like the stairway to heaven right now and she’s on the top step because she’s reached a final,” she told Eurosport.

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Evert also suggested that Gauff is the best of the young teenagers in women’s tennis right now, and thinks her added experience over Raducanu stands her in greater stead.

“Everything in moderation. I think that’s a healthier sort of environment." added the 18-time Grand Slam champion. "I mean Raducanu had an unbelievable US Open but I think she’s been struggling ever since then and I think it’s going to be a while if she wins another one. But I think Coco is the best of that young group and I think she’s been doing everything the correct way."

Gauff’s performance at Roland-Garros has seen her rise to a career high of World No.13 in the WTA rankings. Had she beaten Swiatek, the US star would’ve cracked the top 10 for the first time, yet that milestone will have to wait.

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Despite Evert’s claims, Raducanu remains higher ranked than Gauff and has moved up from 12th to 11th, even though she lost in the first round of the French Open. The British star will begin her grass court season at the Nottingham Open this week, where she is the second seed.