Harriet Dart kicks off 2024 US Open with win and Mum’s the Word

Harriet Dart saw off Chloe Paquet in the opening round of the 2024 US Open. Albeit not without her full usual team together as the Brit has her mum Susie with her who used to be a county player but is now a school teacher.

With the school holidays coming to an end, her mum is due back in work next week but for now, she will be enjoying the ride with her daughter. Up to World No.66 in the live rankings, Dart is playing her best right now.

Coached at home by Russian legend Olga Morovoza, the former Wimbledon finalist who is based in the UK but is reluctant to travel abroad. She as a result has her mum with her and is paying dividends thus far with no arguments and an early win.

“It’s been nice to have my mum here, she knows me really well,” said Dart. “Different dynamic, that’s for sure. We’ve only had one argument so that’s good. It’s just little things and I think it’s easier when it’s your mum because two minutes later you’re all fine.

"We have a really good relationship. She hasn't really travelled much with me at all because she works and also has her own life. She can hit with me a little bit and she’s played so she understands a lot of things and she’s been around Olga a lot, so it’s nice to have her around, she hasn’t been with me very much since I was a junior.

"She wouldn’t say she’s the coach although she does have the coach’s badge. She says her role is feeding balls, and throwing me balls, but there’s much more to it than that. She’s been helping me a lot. She’s due to go back Friday, but we’ll see. We’ll come to that when we need to.”

Next up for the Brit hopeful is Marta Kostyuk who she has a win over this year and is a match she is relishing.

“I then beat her in Eastbourne later the same year. She's a really aggressive player. She's been having a phenomenal year. She's a great mover. I have nothing to lose, but I also feel like I can really push her, and it's an exciting match.

‘I think we play similarly and in some ways and we both move really well, so I think it's going to be a really physical battle, and something that I very much look forward to.”