Coco Gauff is not at the same level as the emerging WTA Big Three of Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and Elena Rybakina, according to former player Laura Robson.
Gauff had a sensational second half to 2023 as the 19-year-old recovered from an early exit at Wimbledon to win her first-ever Grand Slam on home soil at the US Open.
Before her Flushing Meadows success, the American player also won the Citi Open in Washington and the Cincinnati Open, where she defeated Swiatek in the final.
To keep the positivity rolling into 2024, Gauff reclaimed her ASB Classic title after defeating Elina Svitolina in the final. Yet, for all her progress, Gauff still finds herself fourth in the WTA rankings, and Robson, in her Sky Sports column, believes the American teenager will remain slightly behind the bigger names this season.
"There's definitely a big three emerging in the women's game with Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina."
"For me, Coco Gauff is ever so slightly behind - but not really behind because she's got so many things she's working on in her game right now."
Still, at a very young age, Gauff has plenty to learn and develop and consistently challenging at the elite level may be a tough challenge in 2024.
While she may be a challenger at the upcoming Australian Open, Gauff may not be considered an outright favorite as she has never progressed further than the fourth round at Melbourne Park.
But the potential is certainly there for the 19-year-old, and she has the foundations to kick on. In addition, Robson feels that Gauff's time at the top of the WTA will come in 2025 rather than this season.
"I feel in another year you'll see the best of Coco even though she's already won a Slam so it's a good problem to have."
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