Former world No. 1 Simona Halep says Cori Gauff has improved and she definitely thinks the 18-year-old American will soon become a Grand Slam champion. Even though Gauff is just 18, he has been around the Tour for around three years now.
Gauff made her first run when she was just 15 as she reached the Wimbledon last-16 as a qualifier in 2019. “She’s playing non-stop and she’s winning non-stop. That’s why you don’t feel like she’s young anymore.
She’s super matured since we played when she was 15. She’s a great person, super nice. And I feel like she’s going to be a Grand Slam champion soon,” Halep said of Gauff.
Halep faces Gauff next: “She’s playing non-stop and she’s winning non-stop.
That’s why you don’t feel like she’s young anymore.
“She’s super matured since we played when she was 15. She’s a great person, super nice. And I feel like she’s going to be a Grand Slam champion soon.”
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) August 12, 2022
Halep tips Gauff to soon win a Grand Slam
Before the season started, Gauff said her big goal for 2022 was to win her first Grand Slam. At the French Open, Gauff fell just short of accomplishing her goal.
In Paris, Gauff made her maiden Grand Slam final before suffering a 6-1 6-3 defeat to Iga Swiatek. After easily losing the first set, Gauff broke Swiatek early in the second set. But Swiatek recovered after a slow start to the second set and managed to close out the match in straight sets.
Gauff maybe didn’t become a Grand Slam champion at the French Open but Halep feels the American will soon accomplish her goal. Meanwhile, Halep survived a tight Toronto last-16 meeting. On Thursday, Halep had to overcome Jil Teichmann and the tricky playing conditions in Toronto.
After a 6-2 7-5 win over Teichmann, Halep admitted the playing conditions were extremely difficult to handle. “It’s a special tournament here because I always play good tennis. Today was super difficult for both of us.
Wind was not letting us really feel the ball. So it was a tough one, but I’m really happy that I could stay mentally strong in the end and to finish it,” Halep said.
