“It’s going to be a tough match” for Coco Gauff as she acknowledges Alycia Park’s insane on-court heroics going into the second round at the Australian Open

Coco Gauff enjoyed the No. 2 seed spot at the 2024 Australian Open.


“It’s going to be a tough match” for Coco Gauff as she acknowledges Alycia Park’s insane on-court heroics going into the second round at the Australian Open

Coco Gauff and Alycia Park (Image via: Imago)

Coco Gauff recently addressed her upcoming second-round clash with Alycia Park at the 2024 Australian Open and acknowledged her compatriot’s formidable on-court challenge. 

The American commenced her hardcourt campaign on Monday, January 15, and went on to quash challenges from the likes of Anna Karolina Schmiedlova and Caroline Dolehide in the event’s first and second rounds, respectively. 

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While talking in a post-match press conference after registering a thrilling second-round victory over Dolehide, Coco Gauff highlighted her relationship with Alycia Park.

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The World No. 2 spoke highly of the fellow tennis professional and admitted to being served a tough challenge from the latter.

Yeah. I have known her for a long time, since I was, like, maybe like 9 years old. Used to practice with her and her sister. We both lived in Delray Beach, or, like, in that area. Yeah, I know her very well. I always refer her -- obviously not for the next match.
Said Gauff via Australian Open presser.

Coco Gauff has enjoyed a commendable 2023 season, which saw the American bag her maiden Grand Slam title at the season’s US Open.

She has a big game, big serve, big shots, very athletic. I think she's one of the most, if not "the" most at one of the athletic players on tour. Like me, her, Sloane, and Iga are probably up there and Sakkari. And there is more I'm probably missing. Those would be, like, my top 5. She's like up there.
Continuing further, she added

Coco Gauff and Alycia Park will lock horns for the first time on the WTA Tour at the Australian Open

While talking in the same post-match interview, Coco Gauff remarked on her maiden clash with Alycia Park and further stated that she will be prepared for the latter’s challenge despite meeting for the first time ever.

Coco Gauff and Alycia Park
Coco Gauff and Alycia Park (Image via: Imago)
Yeah, it's going to be a tough match. I don't expect it to be easy. I've never played her actually since that age other than the mixed doubles we had at US Open, but I've never played her in practice or anything. We're both going in, you know, not blind because we obviously watched each other but never hit or anything. It's going to be a tough match. She's a great player, and I always knew she was going to do well on tour. It was just a matter of when it was all going to align. I think now it's starting to align.
She said

Gauff and Alycia Park will square off for a place in the fourth round of the 2024 Australian Open on Friday, January 19.

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