Gauff Pushes Back Against “Age” Narrative as Young Stars Rise at Australian Open
Coco Gauff is challenging perceptions about her age and experience as a new wave of teenage talent makes its mark at the Australian Open. The 21-year-old American expressed frustration with questions framing her as an elder stateswoman amidst the success of players like 18-year-old Iva Jovic, who has advanced to the quarterfinals.
Jovic will face No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka at Melbourne Park, following Sabalenka’s fourth-round victory over 19-year-old Vicky Mboko on Sunday. These results highlight a surge of youthful contenders in the tournament.
“The way people ask the questions make it seem like I’m way older than,” Gauff remarked, emphasizing her relatively young age within the professional circuit. “I have been around longer, obviously, but yeah, they’re always, like, ‘Do you have any advice to give them?’”
Gauff playfully asserted her connection to the rising stars, stating, “I’m, like, you guys, these are, like, my peers. We are the same. We are hanging out. We’re in the same age group.”
Despite having been on tour for over five years – making a memorable Grand Slam debut as a qualifier at Wimbledon at age 15 – and already securing a major title at 19, Gauff remains among the younger professionals. Currently seeded No. 3 and a two-time major winner, she reached the Australian Open quarterfinals for the third consecutive year with a 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 win on Sunday against No. 19 Karolina Muchova.
Notably, Gauff has won all four previous matches against Muchova, including their 2023 U.S. Open final encounter. Three teenagers competed in fourth-round matches on Sunday, with Jovic being the sole victor, defeating Yulia Putintseva 6-0, 6-1.
While Mboko challenged Sabalenka in the second set, she ultimately lost 6-1, 7-6 (1). In a separate match, 18-year-old Mirra Andreeva fell to 31-year-old Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-4, sending Svitolina to her 14th Grand Slam quarterfinal, where she will face Gauff – marking Gauff’s 10th appearance in a Grand Slam quarterfinal.
Gauff recalled the isolating experience of transitioning from junior to professional tennis, noting that some players were initially unwelcoming. She now actively makes an effort to connect with newcomers, offering a friendly greeting and words of encouragement.
“Just saying hi or saying good luck,” Gauff explained. “And then you start to talk and then you become friends, and it’s cool.” She expressed a particularly close affinity with Jovic, noting that the young player is around the same age as her younger brother.
“Yeah, she’s the age of my little brother,” Gauff said. “I do feel older than them. That’s for sure. I don’t feel the exact same, but I don’t feel as old as people make it seem.” She added that she hasn’t offered Jovic specific advice, believing the young player possesses a strong mindset.
Gauff admitted to feeling “very lonely” early in her career due to a lack of relatable peers. While she maintains friendships with established players like Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula, and Amanda Anisimova, she also values connecting with younger players who share similar interests.
“We’re interested in the same things and stuff like that, but it’s always funny when people ask me the question,” about the up-and-coming teens, she said. “I usually don’t have anything to say, because I’m still figuring out, just like they are.” She emphasized the positive impact of having more players her age achieving success, describing the past two years on tour as some of her happiest, despite fluctuating results, due to the increased camaraderie.
Jovic, poised for continued success, expressed her ambition to consistently perform at the highest level. “Obviously, the Slams are where you want to do well,” she stated. “Being here in a Slam just gives me belief that I can be at the, you know, highest level of tennis. And, hopefully, be consistently having these results.”
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