Coco Gauff will play in her fifth Roland Garros main draw for the next two weeks, and the young American has much to gain.
Gauff is a former finalist at the clay Grand Slam (lost to Iga Swiatek in the 2022 final), and she hasn't lost before the quarterfinal stage in each of her last three trips to Paris.
She will be among the contenders this year, and should the heavy favorite Swiatek slip up, the 20-year-old will be ready to pounce. With that said, let us take a closer look at three milestones that Gauff might attain during the fortnight at the French Open.
3. Become First American Woman To Win Roland Garros In Nearly A Decade
Coco Gauff can emulate her childhood idol Serena Williams in becoming a French Open champion. It's been a barren Grand Slam tournament for the last nine years as far as American women are concerned.
In fact, European players have had a stranglehold on this tournament since then, with five winners. Australia's Ashleigh Barty is the only non-European champion since Serena Williams won it in 2015.
Additionally, the USA has only had two women win the French Open since the start of the 21st century. Aside from the legendary Serena Williams (2003, 2013 & 2015), the only other American winner was Jennifer Capriati (2001).
2. Become First American Woman To Win Multiple Slams Since Serena Williams
Another milestone that is well within reach for Gauff in Paris is to become a double Grand Slam champion. She won the US Open last September, making the then-19-year-old the youngest winner of the New York Slam since Serena Williams.
Since Serena won the last of her 23 Grand Slams at the 2017 Australian Open, no American woman has won more than two Grand Slams in singles. Sloane Stephens and Sofia Kenin each account for one major title. So, Gauff has the chance to become a two-time major champion.
1. New World No. 2
Coco Gauff was in pole position to become the new World No. 2 in the leadup to Roland Garros, but she faltered in Madrid and then Rome. She rebuffed that possibility and stated that her ambition is to become No. 1.
It is unlikely to happen in the near future because Iga Swiatek has too big a lead to be overtaken. However, Gauff can take a major step towards that objective by eclipsing Aryna Sabalenka.
When the tournament begins, the 20-year-old will trail Sabalenka by a mere 150 points in the live rankings. Winning the tournament would secure the World No. 2 ranking, which would be a career-high. If she doesn't win it, she can still rise to No. 2, but it will depend on Sabalenka's result.
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