John McEnroe has once again expressed concern over young tennis stars, this time targeting Coco Gauff, 20, following her recent form dip.
The tennis legend’s criticism of Gauff mirrors previous warnings he issued to Emma Raducanu, 21, highlighting the pressures associated with commercial success. McEnroe pointed to Gauff’s numerous endorsement deals as a potential distraction, urging her to prioritize improving her game.
“She’s been on a lot of commercials,” McEnroe said, emphasizing the need for a better balance between promotional work and time spent honing her skills.
Gauff’s trajectory this year has been mixed, despite strong showings at the Australian and French Opens. Recent exits in the fourth round at Wimbledon and the US Open have led McEnroe to question whether external pressures are affecting her performance. He noted Gauff’s increased frustration on the court, saying, “She seems to be venting more, and that’s a sign of the pressure.”
McEnroe’s sentiments echo his past comments on Raducanu, whose performance has struggled since her 2021 US Open victory. Both players, he warns, must focus on their tennis if they hope to maintain their top-tier status.
