Coco Gauff headlines perfect start for American women at Paris 2024
The four American women entered into the singles at Paris 2024 were all able to win their opening round matches with Coco Gauff impressing as she made quick work of her opponent.
Gauff won her very first Olympic singles match in just 57 minutes as she swept to a 6-3, 6-0 win over Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic in Sunday’s evening session on Court Philippe Chatrier at Roland Garros.
Due to sickness, reigning US Open champion Gauff was unable to compete in Tokyo in 2021, but she is thriving in Paris so far.
In Friday’s opening ceremony, basketball superstar LeBron James and Gauff carried the flag for Team USA in a unique procession down the Seine.
As the top seeds, Gauff and Pegula prevailed in their opening-round doubles encounter on Saturday.
Now she has also capped off an amazing weekend with her first Olympic singles victory.
Early in the opening set, Tomljanovic, a former Top 40 player, twice recovered from a break down, but Gauff sent a sublime forehand winner down the line to take the lead at 5-3. Gauff took a one-set lead after holding to love as she served for the opening frame.
Gauff won the final eight games of the match, coasting through the second set with no problems. In winning the match, Gauff broke Tomljanovic’s serve six times and sounded a warning to all who will face her in Paris.
Gauff’s next opponent in the second round will be Maria Lourdes Carle of Argentina, who defeated Tatjana Maria of Germany 6-0, 6-0 on Sunday in a great start to her Olympics.
Although Gauff and Carle have never faced off in a senior professional setting, the American defeated Carle twiice in their junior careers, winning at the 2017 Junior US Open and the 2018 Wimbledon Girls championship.
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Gauff penned an emotional letter to her 17-year-old self who missed out on the Olympics for NBC ahead of the Games where she also laid out how proud she was to represent her country at the games.
“As you lean into your joy, keep being vocal about the causes you care about, just like grandma has done throughout her life,” Gauff wrote.”
“Your outlook isn’t defined by the lines painted on the court; it’s solidified by your convictions, your choice to support others and the belief that you can elicit change. Stay strong in who you are, and what you want to communicate with the world.
“In those times that the world doubts you – of which there will be plenty – don’t let it frustrate you, let it fuel you. No one can dim your light as long you believe in it. As you hoist that silver trophy at the U.S. Open, your fire will never be brighter. Let it illuminate your future.
“It’s always been an honour to represent the United States. As a member of the U.S. Billie Jean King Cup team, you will rally for the red, white and blue throughout your career, a distinct privilege you will enjoy.
“While tennis is an individual sport, you relish the relationships with your teammates. You’ve been lucky enough that your on-court relationships have turned into off-court friendships. One of those notable friendships is with your idol, Serena Williams.
“Serena was once just a stranger printed on a poster hanging in your room, and now you still can’t believe she’s a friend and mentor. Her profound impact on tennis, what it means to be a champion and to break barriers is a legacy you hope to uphold and carry with you into your first Olympic Games.”
Her doubles partner Jessica Pegula earned her first career Olympic singles win with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic earlier while Danielle Collins and Emma Navarro also notched wins.
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