“It’s really going to help her,” Mats Wilander believes ‘stagnated’ Coco Gauff will be uplifted by the US crowd

Mats Wilander expects Coco Gauff to return to her best with the home crowd's support she will receive at the US Open.

“It’s really going to help her,” Mats Wilander believes ‘stagnated’ Coco Gauff will be uplifted by the US crowd

Mats Wilander (inset) and Coco Gauff (via Getty and Eurosport)

Swedish tennis legend Mats Wilander believes Coco Gauff has not improved at the rate that people expected her to. While he believes that the reigning US Open champ has stagnated, he also expects her level to rise at Flushing Meadows with the home crowd backing her vociferously. 

Last year, Gauff created history by securing her first Grand Slam title on home soil, with thousands of supporters cheering her on. Since then, however, the 20-year-old has had rather dull outings in singles as she only managed to snag one title, in Auckland, over the last twelve months. The American has also lost in the early rounds of several tournaments and has not been able to close out tight matches at the Majors.

YouTube video
I think technically you would have to say that she has stagnated slightly. Her serve didn’t improve as much as we thought. Her forehand didn’t improve as much as we thought. But I think her fighting spirit is there and the US Open is going to fire her up. And can you imagine the American fans, how they are going to support her, mainly because she is not playing well. I think they’re going to be so much on her side that it’s really going to help her.
Mats Wilander said (via Eurosport)

Wilander expects Gauff to have a good run in New York as her Grand Slam results this year have not been bad in any regard. She reached the semifinals of the Australian Open and the French Open, and the fourth round at Wimbledon. In addition to this, she also won the women’s doubles title in Roland Garros, teaming up with Olympic mixed doubles gold medalist Katerina Siniakova.

Coco Gauff hopes video review systems at the US Open will hold umpires accountable

Coco Gauff revealed her satisfaction with the US Open’s decision to include video reviews that players and umpires can use. Players have demanded the inclusion of VAR systems in tennis for several years due to many controversial calls by umpires that have cost them important matches.

Coco Gauff (5)
Coco Gauff (Image via X)

One such incident happened recently in a match between Felix Auger-Alliassime and Jack Draper while the latter had a match point. The umpire awarded the point to Draper despite replays suggesting that he did not get to a drop shot in time and returned it after the second bounce. 

I think it'll just hold everybody accountable. I think there will be a lot less player frustration and outbursts with that. I'm excited. I hope to see it continue to expand not just in this tournament but all tournaments
Coco Gauff said at a press conference

The US Open has answered players’ demands by trying out video review systems and implementing them in six match courts for the entire duration of the tournament.

In case you missed it!