Coco Gauff has some thoughts on a potential match against Carlos Alcaraz. As we prepare for the US Open, Gauff addressed the possibility of playing in an exhibition match against Alcaraz, one of the highest-ranked male players in the world.
Last year, Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios made headlines by playing a Battle of the Sexes match. Gauff made it clear that she wasn’t a big fan of these events.
“For my own confidence, I probably wouldn’t step onto the court with him,” she said, as reported by USA Today Sports. “I wouldn’t oppose it, but I would prefer him to be on the same side of the court as me, and I would be willing to play mixed doubles with him. My dad would probably still bet on me, even if I bet on Carlos.”
© Getty ImagesGauff and Alcaraz are two of the biggest young stars in the world of tennis, and have spent plenty of time with each other through different tournaments. While she won’t likely be playing any of these exhibition matches, for fans who still dream of seeing the best of the best in men’s and women’s tennis, the two might at one point play on the same team for a mixed doubles match.
This year’s US Open
The US Open kicks off next week in New York. While Alcaraz is out recovering from an injury and Gauff won’t be participating in mixed-doubles matches, there are plenty of exciting partnerships to watch, including Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz, Alexandra Eala and Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper.
© Getty ImagesAnother event to look forward to is the US Open exhibition event, which will feature the return of Roger Federer to the New York courts, a tournament he won for five consecutive years. He’ll be joined by other US Open legends like Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi, and John McEnroe.
“The US Open has always been one of the most special tournaments for me,” said Federer in a statement. “So many unforgettable moments of my career happened in New York, and Arthur Ashe Stadium is a place that means a great deal to me. I’ve missed being part of that atmosphere and feeling the incredible energy that the fans bring every year. To return to Arthur Ashe and share the evening with Andy, Andre, and John makes it even more meaningful. I’m looking forward to celebrating those memories, seeing the fans again, and enjoying a very special night together.”
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