Australian Open 2024: McEnroe Backs Gauff for More Majors Against Sabalenka

John McEnroe believes Coco Gauff is poised to secure additional Grand Slam titles as she pursues victory at the Australian Open. Despite still being a teenager, the American, who staged a remarkable comeback to win the US Open against Aryna Sabalenka last year, now aims for consecutive Grand Slam victories in Melbourne. Rather than being complacent after her success at Flushing Meadows, Gauff actively sought ways to enhance her game. To elevate her serve, she enlisted the coaching expertise of Andy Roddick, demonstrating her commitment to continuous improvement.

Coco Gauff’s strategic move to enhance her serve has quickly proven beneficial, allowing her to consistently hit harder without compromising accuracy as she advances to the semi-finals of the Australian Open. Ahead of her upcoming match against defending champion Sabalenka, John McEnroe commends Gauff and expresses confidence in her potential to secure numerous Grand Slam titles.

Comparing her to Alcaraz against bigger hitters, McEnroe notes Gauff’s athleticism compensating for her size. He anticipates Gauff winning more Majors, emphasizing her positive mental state and the valuable additions to her team, such as Brad Gilbert and Andy Roddick, who have contributed to improvements in her serve.

With Gauff’s prior success at the US Open and ongoing developments in her game, McEnroe expects significant achievements from her in the future. Recognizing her youth, he envisions her winning multiple majors over the next decade. McEnroe looks forward to witnessing Gauff’s progression alongside emerging talents, anticipating the infusion of new younger players into the competitive mix.

In the opposite section of the tournament bracket, the Ukrainian player Dayana Yastremska is set to face China’s Qinwen Zheng in a crucial match for a spot in the final. Both players find themselves in unfamiliar territory, having never progressed beyond the fourth round of a Grand Slam before.

Yastremska’s journey to the semi-final has been notable, requiring her to navigate through three qualifying matches just to enter the main draw. This marks her first appearance in a major semi-final. Despite facing challenges early in her career, such as winning her first WTA title at 18 and dealing with a suspension at the beginning of 2021 due to a positive drug test (later cleared after six months), Yastremska has persevered.

John McEnroe acknowledges that the 23-year-old may feel overwhelmed on this new stage, but he encourages her to embrace the moment and appreciate how well she has been playing.

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“I qualified and reached the semifinals of a major, and I was completely overwhelmed when I stepped onto Wimbledon Centre Court for the first time,” McEnroe remarked. “Her opponent will be equally surprised when they find themselves in the semis. I remember playing like the No. 1 or 2 player and feeling like I had already lost before setting foot on the court in my first Wimbledon semifinal. I believe she may already think she’s lost to whoever emerges victorious between Gauff and Sabalenka. Her focus should be on enjoying the moment.

Considering the challenges she has faced off the tour, including suspension and a successful appeal, it’s remarkable to see her here. The competition is wide open, and she has a great opportunity to continue progressing. With her strong ball-hitting abilities, there’s no reason why she can’t make it to the final.”