Coco Gauff is having a very good season; in fact, she is the first player since Serena Williams in 2009 to be ranked in the top three in both singles and doubles on the WTA Tour .
Coco Gauff has great respect for Serena Williams, and without Williams, Gauff might never have picked up a racket; however, she doesn’t like being compared to the legend.
This makes sense because it puts a lot of pressure on Goff to live up to Serena’s expectations, which she doesn’t have to do. She’s a different player with a different career and one day a different legacy.
She wants to be recognized as her own entity, and she’s making strides toward that goal. Becoming a Grand Slam champion as a teenager is a great way to be remembered in tennis’ long history.
Legendary achievement is another way to achieve that goal, and she did it this year. 2023 is her best year on tour to date, and it shows in the numbers. The American is the first player since Serena Williams in 2009 to finish in the top three in both singles and doubles.
In the past, great players often played singles and doubles, but that’s not so common anymore. Goff is one of those players who still does that, and she’s succeeded in both.
In singles, the American is ranked third in the world, the best ranking of her career. In doubles, Gauff also finished third, although her career-best ranking was actually first.
When Serena Williams did it in 2009, she did a little better. She is ranked third in doubles and first in singles.
Hopefully Goff continues to improve and we’ll see another good year from her. Now that she’s a Grand Slam champion, expectations are sure to be higher than before.