"If you're Iga or Aryna, I don't think you like to see her" - Corretja believes Swiatek and Sabalenka want to avoid Gauff at Roland Garros

American tennis phenom Coco Gauff has proven herself on clay, having reached the Roland Garros final in 2022. Her experience on clay and superb athleticism will make her a threat to title favorites Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka, according to former World No.2 Alex Corretja.

Gauff is the third seed at the upcoming Grand Slam event, behind only Swiatek and Sabalenka. Therefore, should the seedings hold, the American is likely to face either the World No.1 or No.2 in the semifinals. Gauff won her maiden Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open, and Corretja believes the 20-year old will be a dangerous opponent at this year's clay-court Grand Slam tournament.

“She is already stable, you know, she’s already solid,” the Spaniard said in an appearance on Eurosport. “She’s a major champion and she knows how to play well also in Paris, and it’s very difficult to beat Coco because she runs a lot. When she gets confidence in herself, it’s very important and she’s someone that knows already what she needs to do to play well in the big events, and at such a young age, this is so difficult.
"If you are Iga or Aryna, I don’t think you like to see her on the side of the draw that is in the semi-finals to you because, you know, it’s such a tough match you need to play before the final."

Gauff reached the quarter-final last year as she went down in straight sets against Swiatek. She holds an overall 15-4 match record at Roland Garros.