WATCH: Coco Gauff Introduces Session Buddy Novak Djokovic At US Open

Thursday, 07 September 2023 at 09:55

byNurein Ahmed

WTA star Coco Gauff was in charge of the microphone to introduce 23-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic for his upcoming quarterfinal match on Tuesday at the 2023 US Open.

Gauff had laid waste to Iga Swiatek's conqueror Jelena Ostapenko, dropping a paltry two games. She becomes the first American teenager to reach the US Open semifinals since the legendary Serena Williams (winner of six titles in New York) did so back in 2001.

Her performance was so good that the on-court interviewer requested that Gauff take over the mic and introduce Novak Djokovic ahead of schedule for the second of the day's matches inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Gauff politely obliged, and she seemed in fine spirits. It wasn't the first time that the 19-year-old did that at this year's US Open, as Djokovic became kind of a session buddy for the American. The crowd generously applauded and were crowing raucously.

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"I’ll take the mic for this one. Coming up next is the No. 1 player in the world at the end of this tournament. 23 Slams I believe, Novak Djokovic!"

The 19-year-old produced her most complete performance of the tournament in dismissing Ostapenko 6-0, 6-2 to tie her career-best win streak of 10 matches. Gauff was ecstatic to get through and even while in ascendancy she did not take her foot off the pedal fully knowing the Latvian's powers of recovery.

"It feels great. I’m so happy. Last year I lost at the quarterfinal stage and I wanted to do better this year. I still have a long way to go, but I’m happy and I’m ready to get back to work for the next one."

"Honestly, I didn’t feel comfortable at all the whole match, even on the match points. I know the game she plays. She has the ability to come back no matter the scoreline. So I was just trying to get every point, put every ball in."

Gauff will now solely focus on her singles campaign, where she will take on Karolina Muchova in the semis. Her doubles run alongside Jessica Pegula came to a screeching halt in the quarterfinals stage.