“What is he smoking?? Ban it immediately” – Mark Petchey gets ridiculed by fans after he labels Coco Gauff as the ‘best women’s athlete in tennis” ahead of the likes of Steffi Graf and Serena Williams and other stalwarts 

Coco Gauff recently won her maiden Grand Slam title in New York.

“What is he smoking?? Ban it immediately” – Mark Petchey gets ridiculed by fans after he labels Coco Gauff as the ‘best women’s athlete in tennis” ahead of the likes of Steffi Graf and Serena Williams and other stalwarts 

Serena Williams, Coco Gauff, Steffi Graf (Images via CNN, US Open, Wallpappers.com)

American teen tennis sensation Coco Gauff drew attention for all the right reasons after her title win at the 2023 US Open. The 19-year-old scripted history as she beat current World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in three sets, coming back from a set behind. It was her maiden Grand Slam title and hence Gauff has been receiving immense praise even after weeks. Mark Petchey is the latest to hail the youngster. 

While lauding Gauff for her title run in New York, Petchey went on to label the American teen as the ‘best women’s athlete in tennis’ ahead of the likes of Steffi Graf and Serena Williams. In fact, he actually kept Graf in the second position when naming the best-ever athletes in women’s tennis. 

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The former British player heaped massive praise on the American saying other players will have to work a lot to reach the level Gauff is at the moment. When asked if Gauff is the best-ever athlete in women’s tennis, Petchey agreed while snubbing Graf as well as Serena Williams who inspired Gauff to pick up a racket (as said by the American herself). 

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“I think she’s the best women’s athlete to ever play tennis. You cannot tell me, the tennis — even when Steffi Graf was around, who I think, in my mind, was the second greatest female women’s tennis player athlete of all time — you can’t tell me that the sport was played at the same speed back then than it is now,” Mark Petchey said.

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Fans left shocked at Mark Petchey’s statement about Coco Gauff

This bold statement from the former Briton drew flak from the fans who ridiculed Mark Petchey. A user on X even asked if the Briton was smoking something when he made this statement. Meanwhile, one called it an absurd take. A few others felt it was too early to make a comparison as Gauff needs to play for ten more years. 

Coco Gauff US Open title
Coco Gauff with her US Open title (Image via US Open)

Check out the spectrum of reactions to Mark Petchey’s hot take on Coco Gauff. 

Mark Petchey further elaborated on his hot take as he explained what he thinks of Steffi Graf. He said that while the German was best in her era, Gauff is the best women’s athlete because of the way she moves on the court.

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