Coco Gauff's Aura Compared To Serena Williams By Former WTA Star
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Coco Gauff's presence at the Australian Open impacted the 2008 semifinalist in Melbourne, Daniela Hantuchova, so much that she compared it to the legendary Serena Williams.
World No. 3 Gauff's outstanding tennis alone would be enough to make others sit up and take notice when she is walking around the site at the Australian Open. She reached the fourth round in Melbourne with a crushing win against Leylah Fernandez.
Gauff's positive start at the Australian Open follows an excellent few months that included winning the China Open and WTA Finals and helping Team USA to obtain a second United Cup title earlier this month.
However, the 20-year-old is also among the most personable players on the WTA and ATP Tour. Gauff regularly amuses fans with her comments, including a hilarious recent interview about the inspiration behind her Australian Open outfit.
The 2023 US Open champion combines that humor with a willingness to speak about social issues and causes that are important to her. Despite being so young, she speaks articulately and in a way that is inspirational to many.
Those factors led to Gauff being ranked as the most marketable tennis player in the world by SportsPro, finishing above Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and other legends despite everything they have achieved in the game.
That ranking and Gauff's on-court and off-court personality show she is already starting to transcend the sport, a feat few manage. Serena Williams had that effect in a way no other women's player did.
There was an aura around Williams from a young age that grew even further as she got older. Fans and other players saw a charisma and confidence that complimented the 23-time Grand Slam champion's outstanding abilities on the court.
Speaking to Channel 9, Hantuchova said Gauff has a similar aura to Williams. The Slovakian mentioned her calmness and confidence and feels everything seems right about Gauff this year at the Australian Open.
"She has got IT. I feel like now that when she comes to the sites and walks around the tournament, a little bit the same feeling I had when Serena was around. You can’t explain what it is, it’s like that aura that has around her. The calmness, the confidence, just everything about Coco this year seems to be right."
There is undoubtedly something special about Gauff. Hantuchova, who is working as a pundit at the Australian Open, noticing the presence she has even when the cameras aren't rolling demonstrates why she might become one of the most iconic figures ever seen in tennis.
The former world No. 5 also thinks Gauff could win the Australian Open. Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, who reached the fourth round with a win against Clara Tauson, is the favorite, but Hauntuchova thinks Gauff is the most likely to challenge her for the title.
"We talk about Sabalenka being the clear favorite, but if there is one player that can cause her real problems it is definitely Coco and I wouldn’t be surprised if she lifts the trophy this year."
