Coco Gauff could have been a smash hit on the track in another life.
The tennis prodigy, 20, is on course for greatness after winning the US Open title as a teenager in 2023, despite a largely disappointing year so far.
Rick Macci, who coached Serena and Venus Williams, once described Gauff as “a track star that has a tennis racquet in her hand.”
Both of her parents were Division 1 athletes, with mom Candi competing in track and field at Florida State University and dad Corey representing Georgia State University in basketball.
Gauff has talked up her track speed in the past – and called out two WTA rivals for a race.
“The 400 is really my race. I did run track,” she said last year.
“I guess in tennis terms, I think the hundred would be good for me.
“But against any other athlete, I need the 400 to even have the chance.
“I think Alycia Parks, she’s pretty quick, has a good stride.
And Iga [Swiatek] is pretty quick, too. I think those two would give me a run.
“I would be curious to test it, to be honest! I do feel like I am the fastest mover, to be honest. I’d be really interested.”
Gauff competed in her first Olympics in Paris this summer – and was given the honor of carrying the US flag alongside LeBron James at the opening ceremony.
On the court she missed out on a medal in singles and doubles, while her best Grand Slam finish has been the semifinals in the Australian and French Opens.
Coco Gauff’s insane sprint training workout leaves her rethinking past comments about track dreams
She has been putting herself through grueling sprint workouts in a bid to rediscover her form – and judging by her last post, she may be thankful she turned her back on the track.
Gauff posted a picture to her Instagram stories of her and coach Felipe Ramirez Luna lying flat out on the ground after a workout in the Florida heat.
They both looked exhausted – and the caption revealed why.
“8 sets of 100M 3 sets of 400, 200, 100, and 6 sets of 25M. 20-30 sects rest in between sets,” Gauff wrote.
“3 mins in between rounds all right after a 2 hour tennis practice and 94 degrees outside & 104 on the track/court.
“#happysaturday glad didn’t choose track too hard out here for chile @feliperamirezluna may or may not have sat out for a few sets.”
Gauff was knocked out in the quarterfinals of the recent US Open and will now head to China.
She is due to line up in the China and Zhengzhou Opens next month.
The world No6 is looking to secure a spot in December’s WTA Tour Finals in Dubai and currently sits sixth in the season long race standings.
