Coco Gauff is at the heart of a promising era in American women’s tennis — but she admitted the men have some catching up to do.
The world No. 2 is joined in the top 10 by close friend Jessica Pegula
(No. 4), Amanda Anisimova (No. 5), and Madison Keys (No. 6).
Billionaire heiress Emma Navarro is only one spot back in 11th as the tennis world enters its hardcourt swing.
Each of the past four Grand Slam finals has featured an American woman, including wins for Gauff at Roland Garros and Keys at the Australian Open.
Gauff faces Wang Xinyu in the Cincinnati Open round of 62 Sunday and is hoping she can repeat her breakthrough 2023 triumph at the tournament, which was followed by a first Major at the US Open, a month later.
“It gave me the belief that I could win a Slam,” she said. “I was searching for a big title.
“I’d been on tour for a long time and people had those expectations, so for me it meant a lot.
“It was a great statement tournament and led me to believe that I could beat top players.”
The Lindner Family Tennis Center has undergone a $260 million, 11-month renovation.
“It’s insane,” Gauff added. “All the feedback I’ve heard is that it’s the best tournament on tour, better than the Slams as far as the facilities [go]. As far as first impressions, it looks incredible and I’m so excited to explore more.”
Taylor Fritz (No. 4) and Ben Shelton (No. 6) are the top-ranked American men, with Frances Tiafoe next at 14.
Gauff extended a playful challenge to the boys.
“It hasn’t been much of competition, no offense to them,” the Florida native said with a laugh. “They have to catch up.”
Gauff, who is coming off a drought, is delighted that children across the country have somebody to look up to, regardless or race or gender.
“That’s the beautiful thing about being an American. All of us look different,” she added. “We have biracial, black, white [players], all types of representation for girls and guys to look up to in the top 10, or close to the top 10.
“That’s something beautiful about our country, how diverse it is, and I hope that in this sport it continues to grow.”
Ben Shelton’s Canadian Open triumph
Shelton is up against Camilo Ugo Carabelli in Cincinnati.
He beat Karen Khachanov in the Canadian Open final to become the youngest American player to win an ATP 1000 tournament in two decades.
Only Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz can match the 22-year-old for break points saved and Shelton plans to turn that into the foundation for continued success.
“I think it’s a mix of me feeling comfortable and confident in my gamestyle in those moments, playing my game and an aggressive style of tennis, and not being afraid to go after it,” he said.
“It’s tough when you play a big server, someone who can take the racquet out of your hands at times when you have a break point. You think that it may be your only chance, you get tense.
“If you lose serve, the set can be over like that. It’s tough. I know that I feel it when I play against the big servers [like] Mpetshi Perricard or Opelka or Diallo, Fritz, any of those guys, they can take the racquet out of your hand, it can be tough.
“And I’m sure that some guys feel the same when they’re playing against me.”