Young guns in Paris
Just before heading to the French Open, Coco Gauff won the singles and doubles titles at a clay-court event in Parma, Italy, pushing her ranking to a career-best No 25.
Still just 17, Gauff is the youngest American woman in the WTA’s Top 25 since Serena Williams way back in 1998. And Gauff will be seeded at a Grand Slam tournament for the first time when action begins tonight in Paris.
‘‘It’s cool to have a high ranking, but that’s not my goal. To be No 1 would be cool, don’t get me wrong. But my goal is to win
Grand Slams,’’ Gauff said during a video conference from Roland Garros yesterday. ‘‘I’m sure with the Grand Slams, a No 1 ranking would come, but it’s not something that I focus on. My goal is just to win Grand Slams — and all the numbers and all that will come with that.’’
She is part of a group of teen tennis players ready to step into the shoes of the sport’s standardbearers.
COCO GAUFF
Age: 17
Country: US
Ranked: 25
Tour Singles Titles: 2
Grand Slam Appearances: 6
Best Grand Slam Result: Fourth Round (2019 Wimbledon, 2020 Australian Open)
Facts: Youngest woman to sweep singles and doubles titles at one WTA tournament since Maria Sharapova in 2004 and youngest qualifier in Wimbledon history (16 in 2019).
CARLOS ALCARAZ
Age: 18
Country: Spain
Ranked: 94
Tour Singles Titles: 0
Grand Slam Appearances: 1
Best Grand Slam Result: Second Round (2021 Australian Open) Facts: Jumped 41 spots in the
another pause to the transTasman travel bubble and it’s difficult to know how those concerns could be eased.
However, until the picture becomes clearer about what January’s tournaments look like, Vannini says there’s little point right now in talking to players.
‘‘My target is that by the end of June we want to have a pretty clear picture, so we can go out and talk to players and agents.’’
Meanwhile, Vannini was
planning on standing down as chairman later this year, but has been encouraged to stay on.
‘‘My term runs out in October and I had intended to step down.
‘‘But it’s clear that some key sponsors and others have said they’d like me to stay on for a period . . . it is my intention now, subject to the board and subcommittee agreeing, for me to stay on for at least a couple of years, to provide some continuity.