Billie Jean King hopes Coco Gauff’s US Open win has ‘Andy Murray-like’ effect on American players to bring champs like Emma Raducanu

Former World No. 1 Billie Jean King talked about the moment when Gauff won her first Grand Slam title and how it had an 'Andy Murray-like' effect on American players.  

Billie Jean King hopes Coco Gauff’s US Open win has ‘Andy Murray-like’ effect on American players to bring champs like Emma Raducanu

(L) Coco Gauff and Billie Jean King, (R) Gauff with her US Open trophy (Images via: Imago/X))

The last leg of the Billie Jean King Cup is all set to begin in the month of November. The finals will be held in Seville, Spain, where 12 countries will send in their teams to compete in the draw. Ahead of the event, King, a former tennis champion, stated that she hoped US Open champ Coco Gauff’s efforts at the last slam of the year would help inspire the next generation of tennis players.

Teen prodigy Coco Gauff ousted the current World No. 1, Aryna Sabalenka, to claim the title of 2023’s US Open champ. The 19-year-old stunned Sabalenka, scoring 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 in a three-set thriller. The American has gone on to improve her game drastically ever since she faced a first-round defeat at Wimbledon, despite being seeded at No. 7, against compatriot Sofia Kenin. Following her early exit, Gauff worked for herself and claimed the titles in Washington as well as in Cincinnati.

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In a conversation with Sky Sports, former World No. 1 Billie Jean King talked about the moment when Gauff won her first Grand Slam title. “It was fantastic. We’ve all been very anxious for her to win a major. Her winning was very exciting,” King said. “We were celebrating 50 years of equal prize money for women, so it was really appropriate that she won,” King revealed further. (H/T: SkySports)

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“She’s a really great kid. Although she’s not really a kid anymore, she’s starting to be an adult. She’s got a wonderful family, and I was really happy for her,” King stated. She also said that Gauff’s victory was great for the United States as well. “When you have someone homegrown do well, like with Andy Murray, for instance, [Emma] Raducanu, it helps get children into our sport. And that’s what I like; I want us to grow tennis,” the four-time US Open winner added.

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Billie Jean King tells Emma Raducanu to rest amid her injury woes

Billie Jean King expressed her concern for Emma Raducanu and advised her to take some more time off to return to the court after she felt completely fit and healthy. The 20-year-old has had an injury-plagued phase ever since she won the US Open in 2021 at the mere age of 18 years. The player also pulled out of the Billie Jean King Cup, stating that she still needs time to recover from a recent surgery.

Coco Gauff, Billie Jean King, Emma Raducanu
Coco Gauff, Billie Jean King, Emma Raducanu(Images via: The Independent/UPI/WTA)

In the interview, Billie Jean King expressed her concern for Emma Raducanu and advised her to take some more time off to return to the court in a fit and healthy manner. She said, “You’ve got to be healthy. If you’re not, you shouldn’t play, so I think they’ve done the right thing this year.” She completely justified the Briton’s gesture of withdrawing from the tournament and agreed with her decision to rest.

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