"She's only 18, let her have some fun" - Davenport defends Gauff after shocking WTA Finals performances

| by Alfredo Bassanelli

It would not be untrue to describe Coco Gauff's WTA Finals performances as some of the worst matches she played all year long.

The American athlete was supposed to perform admirably in front of her home fans in Fort Worth, but she completely fell short of expectations. She and Jessica Pegula both lost their opening doubles matches and both of their opening singles matches, greatly disappointing American spectators.

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Both didn't get much support from the crowd, and the fact that the venue was mainly empty for the first few days suggests that the WTA has a deeper issue. Lindsay Davenport backed the 18-year-old Gauff in an interview on the Tennis Channel.

"It's the first season that Coco Gauff's not under the age of eligibility. She's played over 20 tournaments, she's looked exhausted. She's kind of looked the same and Guadalajara, and I think for a player that was such a great junior, it's been so fun to get to the top," said Davenport adding:

"But also, you're normally, you don't take five losses in a row. Yeah, two in Guadalajara with the singles and the doubles. And then you start here with losing two doubles and the other singles, I think it's a lot for her. I actually hope maybe her season is done tonight. She goes back, she's only 18. Let her have some fun, and we want to see her playing with a smile."

Jessica Pegula surprised to hear she can still make the semis of WTA Finals despite losing twice
Jessica Pegula surprised to hear she can still make the semis of WTA Finals despite losing twice

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