Coco Gauff, the reigning U.S. Open champion, will make history as she joins basketball legend LeBron James to carry the United States flag at the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics on Friday. This marks the first time a tennis athlete has been chosen as a U.S. flagbearer, a selection made by their fellow athletes.
“For me, the Olympics is a top priority. I would say equal to the Grand Slams. I wouldn’t put it above or below, just because I’ve never played before. This is my first time,” Gauff expressed earlier this year. “Obviously, I always want to do well, try to get a medal.”
Both Gauff and James compete in sports that garner global attention beyond the traditional Olympic spotlight. Their participation underscores the diverse talent representing the United States at the Games.
At just 19 years old, Gauff is poised for her Olympic debut after an earlier setback in 2021 when she had to withdraw from the Tokyo Games due to a positive COVID-19 test. Now, with Grand Slam titles in both singles and doubles under her belt, she enters the Paris Olympics as a formidable contender.
Gauff clinched her first major singles championship in September 2023, triumphing over Aryna Sabalenka in the U.S. Open women’s singles final. She also secured her first Grand Slam doubles title at the French Open in June alongside Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic.
The tennis events at the Paris Olympics will unfold on the famed clay courts of Roland Garros, the same venue as the French Open, starting Saturday. Gauff is seeded No. 2 in singles, reflecting her current WTA ranking behind Poland’s Iga Swiatek, and is among the favorites for a medal.
In women’s doubles, Gauff and her regular partner Jessica Pegula hold the top seed. Additionally, Gauff pairs with the highest-ranked American man, Taylor Fritz, as the No. 2 seed in mixed doubles, showcasing a strong U.S. presence across the board.
“I’m not putting too much pressure on it, because I really want to fully indulge in the experience,” Gauff said about her Olympic journey. “Hopefully I can have the experience multiple times in my lifetime, but I’ll treat it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
As the Paris Games approach, Gauff’s participation and her role as a flagbearer highlight her rapid ascent in the world of tennis and her significance as a symbol of youth and excellence in American sports.
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Gauff to join James as USA flagbearers at Olympic Opening Ceremony
cgtn.com
