Gauff Claims 'Age Not A Factor' In Match With 16-Year-Old Talent At Roland Garros

| by Zachary Wimer

A match between two teenagers is not very common on the WTA Tour but it will happen at the 2023 Roland Garros.

Coco Gauff and Mirra Andreeva are both playing in very good form and they are both talented teenagers. While the young American started her journey as a 14-year-old super talent a few years ago, the Russian broke out as a 15-year-old prodigy only a few weeks ago.

Now, the two are set to meet on the Parisian clay in the third round. Gauff cruised past Julia Grabher from Austria, while Andreeva had no problems against Diane Parry from France. That means, that now only an injury would prevent a first meeting between the two teenagers.

But it won't be their first-ever meeting, only the first in a competitive match. As Gauff revealed, they already practiced together and the second highest-ranked American praised the fellow teenager ahead of the clash.

Gauff Sets Up Teenage Clash With 16-Year-Old Wonderkid At Roland Garros
Gauff Sets Up Teenage Clash With 16-Year-Old Wonderkid At Roland Garros

"Yeah, obviously I've watched her the past couple of weeks. She's obviously done well. And the practice with her, it was a good practice. I think she's a great player."

But in terms of the match, Gauff doesn't really know what to think about it. She'll think together with her team, which now includes also Patrick Mouratoglou, and they will try to come up with a creative way to outplay the Russian.

"I guess regarding the next match, I don't know, I haven't really thought about it. So I guess my team and I will come up with something."

Knowing how it feels to be a teenager that everyone follows, Gauff said that age won't play a huge role in the match and that her opponent has already proved her position at the Roland Garros.

"But, yeah, obviously she's young, but I don't see age as a factor, to be honest. You have to play her as you would play any other person that's grown and strong. Obviously she's proved her position here, and I'm going to try to do my best against her."

WATCH: Fritz Booed For Over A Minute After Massive Celebration At Roland Garros
WATCH: Fritz Booed For Over A Minute After Massive Celebration At Roland Garros

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