Patrick McEnroe discussed the possibility of Coco Gauff becoming a multiple Grand Slam champion and made a controversial comment about WTA world No. 1 Iga Swiatek.
2022 was a roller coaster year for Gauff. She reached her Grand Slam singles final at the French Open, losing in straight sets to Swiatek, and finished a year inside the Top 10 for the first time.
Gauff also became the doubles No. 1 and qualified for the singles and doubles at the WTA Finals. Those achievements at the age of just 18 deserve praise and should not be taken for granted.
The American is also one of the most personable players in the women's game despite her young age. She regularly interacts with fans on social media and has the makings of a future worldwide star.
Patrick McEnroe, brother of seven-time Grand Slam singles champion John McEnroe, believes nobody is moving the needle in women's tennis right now, but Gauff could do it by becoming a multiple major winner.
"Right now, there's nobody that really moves the needle in women's tennis. Coco Gauff can and will, when and if she becomes a multiple Slam champion."
Swiatek is the favorite to win the 2022 WTA Player of the Year after securing two Grand Slams and going on an incredible 37-match winning streak, but McEnroe controversially claimed that the Pole does not move the needle for the women's game.
"Iga Swiatek is clearly the best player in the world, but she doesn't certainly move the needle, at least in this country... Someone like Osaka is hugely important for the women's tennis tour in the next 5 years."
It is unclear why McEnroe believes this. He might be referring to Swiatek's introverted nature off the court, but what matters most is the outstanding quality she produces during matches.
McEnroe's use of "at least in this country" when referring to the United States might also indicate that he is applying a biased perspective that does not consider countries outside the United States enough.