Coco Gauff’s rivalries with Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka bringing non-tennis fans as audience claims Greg Rusedski
Greg Rusedski talks about the importance of rivalries in tennis.
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Coco Gauff and Greg Rusedski (via ATP)
Former World No.4, Greg Rusedski, while speaking in a podcast stressed the importance of a rivalry in women’s tennis like between Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek or Aryna Sabalenka, just like in the men’s category. The former British player said that such rivalries in the sport will get more non-tennis fans to watch the sport and increase viewership.
Speaking on the podcast, Greg Rusedski mentioned that a rivalry between Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek, and Aryna Sabalenka would lure a lot of non-tennis fans into the game. He also added, “I think what we need is, we need a rivalry in the women’s game especially. Because in the men’s game, you’ve got Carlos, the young buck, vs. Novak Djokovic, the legend of our sport.”
Greg compared the scenario to the men’s category as well. He said that a rivalry in the women’s version would be good. Adding to this he said, “You know, you need a Coco-Swiatek, you need a Coco-Sabalenka. You need a group that’s playing in Majors finals or semis week in and week out.”
Coco Gauff recently won the US Open title defeating Aryna Sabalenka in a 3-set thriller. She became only the second American teenager after Serena Williams to win the US Open since 2001 to clinch her maiden Grand Slam title.
The British player feels that Coco Gauff has the potential to gather a lot of people towards the sport and a few rivalries would attract non-followers of the game. He also expressed his desire to witness matches between Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka in the later stages of major tournaments.
Greg Rusedski stressed on the significance of rivalries in tennis
Greg Rusedski in the podcast also talked about why he started following and loving the sport in the first place. He added, “I look back and part of why I loved tennis growing up as a kid was the John McEnroe-Bjorn Borg finals, Martina [Navratilova] and Chrissie [Evert], the longest and the greatest rivalry in tennis, playing over 80 times, that’s what people want to see.”
Speaking about Coco Gauff’s ability to draw a crowd, he also stated, “Coco brings another audience to the sport who aren’t tennis fans and that is a big plus.” He believes that the American has the charm and persona to add viewership to the game.
In case you missed it:
- Coco Gauff left ecstatic after a personal meeting with the Obamas following her dramatic opening-round win at the 2023 US Open
- Roger Federer ‘changed’ the game says Iga Swiatek showering praise on the joint-most US Open title winner
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Vineet Udaykumar
(254 Articles Published)