By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday March 13, 2022
Add two-time Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka to the list of players that believe Coco Gauff’s time to shine on the WTA Tour is coming soon. To be fair, Gauff is already shining and has been doing so ever since she broke out at Wimbledon in 2015, reaching the second week as a 15-year old. But Azarenka says that even bigger things should be coming soon for the 18-year-old.
“I feel like for me Coco is one of the players who I feel like any moment is going to do some really big things,” Azarenka said. “I think she's one of the most talented players from her generation, at least in my perspective. I think she's got a pretty good head on her shoulders which is pretty remarkable at this age.
Azarenka was asked about the American, because she spent time practicing with her this week at Indian Wells.
“Practicing with her, I can just see the talent that she has and the potential that she has. It's a matter of putting it together. I think for her to mature and get confident with herself,” she said. “It amazes me. Her talent, as an athlete, is really impressive.”
Those sentiments were echoed by three-time Slam champion and former World No.1 Lindsay Davenport last week.
“Coco Gauff is going to break through at a really big event really soon,” the American said. “I hope it's sooner rather than later. I don't know if it'll be at Indian Wells or if it'll be at the French Open or somewhere. She's in for a big title run.”
When Davenport was asked which American woman would crack the Top-10 next, she was quick with her reply.
“I always just say Gauff because I know it's coming. She's just so good,” she said.
Azarenka was asked to elaborate on what she feels is important when she makes such remarks about a young player. She says that the intangibles are a huge factor, often more than the ball striking capacity of the player.
“Everybody can hit the ball pretty well,” she said. “I've seen so much talent who are incredibly gifted with their hands or with something else. But it's about how to find solution, how to go about a routine that is pretty difficult, the grind.
“People impress me with who they are as human beings. Again, there's so much talent that is impressive for a little, but I think what the person brings behind that, the legacy that they can bring, what they can bring to the sport, what they can bring to inspire a new generation, that's what impresses me. I always look for people who has more than just a good tennis game.”