MusaCoco Gauff has never been one to shy away from speaking her mind, and during a recent media interaction in Cincinnati, she playfully took a jab at her male compatriots on the ATP Tour. When asked about the current state of American tennis, Gauff praised the strength of the women’s game but couldn’t resist teasing the men about their recent lack of Grand Slam titles.
“There’s no competition right now between us,” Gauff said with a smile. “We’ve been carrying the load for a while, so the guys need to step it up.”
Her remark came in the context of a golden era for U.S. women’s tennis. Over the past few seasons, American women have been consistently reaching the business end of Grand Slams, with names like Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, Amanda Anisimova, and Emma Navarro joining Gauff in making deep runs. In contrast, the last American man to win a Grand Slam singles title was Andy Roddick at the 2003 US Open — over two decades ago.
While Gauff’s comment was delivered with humor, it also reflected the pride she feels in the accomplishments of the women’s game. “It’s really exciting. We have multiple American women in the top 20, and there’s been an American woman in each of the last four Slam finals,” she said. “That kind of consistency is special.”
The banter also highlights the healthy competitive spirit between the tours. Players like Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, and Ben Shelton have all broken into the top tier in recent years, but none have yet managed to capture a major title. Gauff’s playful “no competition” jab could serve as motivation for them heading into the US Open later this month.
Gauff is currently preparing for her second-round match at the Cincinnati Open, where she’s defending the title that helped launch her to her US Open victory last year. Her form and confidence suggest she’s ready for another strong run, and she’s clearly enjoying the moment — both on the court and off it.
Whether the American men respond to Gauff’s playful challenge remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the 20-year-old continues to be a leader for U.S. tennis, not just with her results, but with her personality, confidence, and ability to engage fans.
As she sets her sights on another big summer, Gauff is proving that she’s not only a champion in her own right but also a voice that keeps the conversation around tennis lively — and just a little bit spicy.
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