Despite initial suggestions that Coco Gauff will skip playing doubles at the 2024 Roland Garros, she is surprisingly part of the draw with a surprising partner.
The young American generally plays doubles with Jessica Pegula, but she hasn't played with her recently because her partner has been away from the sport due to injuries. Pegula hasn't played in well over a month after suffering an injury during her preparations for the Madrid Open.
Due to that, Gauff teamed up with Erin Routliffe in Rome, making the final but not lifting the trophy. There were suggestions that she wouldn't play doubles in Paris because she wasn't on the entry list with Routliffe or any other player.
That seemed like a confirmation that she wouldn't play doubles at the event, and it wasn't that shocking. She declared that winning was a goal for her, and playing only singles would allow her to really focus on that goal.
However, she is part of the draw after surprisingly teaming up with Katerina Siniakova. Gauff seemingly made this last-minute decision, and it's an interesting one, to say the least.
She highlighted her intention of not playing as many doubles events as in the past, but she's still playing at least the majors. Siniakova is an experienced and successful doubles player in her own right, so maybe it's just convenient for both of them.
There is almost no downside for either of them, as they can win a trophy, earn more money, and keep themselves in a good rhythm competition-wise, as doubles tennis isn't that taxing on a body, at least not when there are two very fit players participating.
Gauff will likely be asked about her sudden change of plans for doubles. Pairing up with the Czech player, they are the fifth-seeded team in the draw.