"I want us to grow tennis": Billie Jean King hopes Coco Gauff's US Open win lays blueprint to inspiring similar to Andy Murray in UK
WTA
Former world number one Billie
Jean King has expressed optimism that Coco Gauff’s recent triumph in the US
Open will inspire youngsters to follow tennis in the United States of America.
The 19-year-old is often rated as one
of the brightest players currently playing in the women’s singles category.
She lived up to the hype in the
recently concluded fourth and final Grand Slam of the year where she defeated the
current world number one Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka in the final with a score of
3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
King, while recently talking to Sky
Sports, expressed optimism that Gauff’s success in the US Open will inspire
youngsters in America just like Andy Murray’s win inspired a whole generation
in Great Britain.
"It was fantastic," she
said. "We've all been very anxious for her to win a major. Her winning was
very exciting. We were celebrating 50 years of equal prize money for women, so
it was really appropriate that she won.
"She's a really great kid.
Although she's not really a kid anymore, she's starting to be an adult. She's
got a wonderful family and I was really happy for her.
“And
it was great for the United States because when you have someone homegrown do
well, like with Andy Murray for instance, [Emma] Raducanu, it helps get
children into our sport. And that's what I like; I want us to grow
tennis."
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.
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