Sharapova calls Gauff 'the full package', believes she can transcend tennis: "I have been saying this for years"

Former world number one Russia’s Maria Sharapova believes young American sensation Coco Gauff is the ‘full package’.

The 19-year-old is rated one of the most exciting young talents in the circuit and she has lived up to the hype in the recently concluded US Open.

Sharapova, who herself won five Grand Slam titles in her illustrious career including the US Open in 2006 after beating Belgium’s Justine Henin-Hardenne, was recently quoted in a report where she heaped praise on Gauff and believes that she has all the potential to achieve greater things in the coming years.

“I have been saying this for years and I think she has the ability to transcend the sport, bridging entertainment & sport & culture & fashion,” she said. “She’s got such a great voice & most importantly, she is an amazing competitor which is just like the full package. It came together for her in New York City. So I wanted to be there.”

Gauff ended up beating the current world number one Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka in the final of the fourth and final Grand Slam with a score of 2–6, 6–3, 6–2.

That performance was the continuation of Gauff’s winning run which started after her disappointing outing at Wimbledon where she was knocked out of the competition after suffering a surprise defeat in the first round to fellow American Sofia Kenin with a score of 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.

She first won the final of the Citi Open after beating Greece’s Maria Sakkari in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 6-3.

Later on, she went on to lift the Cincinnati Open (Western & Southern Open) title after beating Czech Republic’s Karolina Muchova in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-4.

Other than her US Open triumph, Gauff also played in the quarterfinal of the French Open earlier this year where she lost to the current world number two Iga Swiatek with a score of 6-4, 6-2.