Coco Gauff not a US Open favourite, says Barbara Schett

Barbara Schett opined that Coco Gauff is not among the favourites to win the US Open. According to the former world No. 7, Coco is “the one struggling the most right now” compared to the top seeds Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and Elena Rybakina.

Gauff’s results have been far from expected, after falling in the round of 16 at the Canadian Open and in the Round of 32 at the Cincinnati Open (with a 1-2 record in the hardcourt swing). On Monday, she will take to the court against Varvara Gracheva in her first challenge as she begins her title defence.

Schett backs Swiatek and Sabalenka

Schett considered Swiatek and Sabalenka as the top contenders: “On the women’s side, you have to go with Iga Swiątek. She’s the absolute number one at the moment, even though she lost to Aryna Sabalenka in the semis in Cincinnati. Then, of course, I would definitely go with Sabalenka as well,” she told Eurosport.

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“Probably the one struggling the most right now is Coco Gauff. She hasn’t been performing well this year, especially in the last couple of weeks. I think she’s feeling the pressure,” Barbara Schett added. “And then you can never rule out someone like Elena Rybakina. You never know how she’s feeling, as she often has health issues, particularly with her immune system. But those three are my favourites.”

In the last 10 editions of the tournament, there have been 9 different champions, with only Naomi Osaka repeating in 2018 and 2020. Moreover, the last player to successfully defend the US Open title was Serena Williams, who retained the title between 2012 and 2014. For Schett, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a new champion this year: “It’s always really exciting,” she said. “Who knows, maybe Jasmine Paolini will make another run. Perhaps a third Grand Slam final for her?”

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“Who knows, maybe Mirra Andreeva will have a breakthrough, or perhaps Danielle Collins, in what could be her last US Open campaign, will go all the way. I think that’s what makes it so exciting on the women’s side—there are so many possibilities,” the Austrian, a quarterfinalist in 1999, added. “One thing is for sure, it’s going to be very, very exciting on the women’s side and on the men’s side as well.”