"I would be surprised if she doesn't win a bunch of majors": John McEnroe expects 'big things' in next 10 years from Coco Gauff albeit with Swiatek caveat

Saturday, 13 January 2024 at 21:30

John McEnroe shared his high expectations for Coco Gauff, identifying her as the primary contender against Iga Swiatek for winning more Grand Slam titles over the next decade. The 7-times Grand Slam champion stated that Swiatek would pose a tough challenge for Gauff, but he hopes that the American can secure multiple Slam victories.

Gauff, the most recent Grand Slam champion after clinching the 2023 US Open title, is the 4th seed in the upcoming Australian Open. This puts her behind Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and Elena Rybakina, who took the third spot just a week ago.

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3:25 AM · Jan 13, 2024

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Expectations for Coco Gauff

Speaking on Eurosport, McEnroe emphasized Gauff's excellent physical condition compared to her rivals: “She [Gauff] is not as big as [Elena] Rybakina, [Aryna] Sabalenka, or [Iga] Swiatek, but she’s extremely athletic the way [Carlos] Alcaraz is. I expect her to win more majors,” McEnroe said. “It can be done. She is in a good place mentally and has added pieces to her team recently, like Brad Gilbert, who knows what it takes."

“I expect big things from her and she’s still young. Over the next 10 years I would be surprised if she doesn’t win a bunch of majors,” he added. “Soon there will be more younger players to add to the mix. I think Swiatek has done a great job at keeping up her level for so long now so it will be really hard for Coco to get close to her ranking any time soon though.”

Gauff's stellar kickoff to 2024

The 19-year-old prodigy has kicked off 2023 in impressive form, successfully defending her ASB Classic title. Gauff smoothly progressed to the final with victories over Claire Liu (6-4, 6-2), Brenda Fruhvirtova (6-3, 6-0), 8th seed Varvara Gracheva (6-1, 6-1), and 4th seed Emma Navarro (6-3, 6-1). In the final, she overcame a set deficit to defeat the second seed Elina Svitolina (6-7, 6-3, 6-3).

Now, Gauff has one final day to prepare for her debut at the Aussie Open. In the first round, she will face Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (No. 68). The young American is defending the fourth-round achievement from last year, providing her with a good opportunity to earn points and challenge Elena Rybakina's third-place position, as Rybakina faces the challenging task of defending her 2023 final.

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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