Aside from their precocious talent on the tennis court, Coco Gauff and Emma Raducanu share much in common.
They both emerged on the international stage as teenagers, with Gauff as young as 15 when she announced herself with an upset win over Venus Williams as a qualifier at Wimbledon in 2019.
Only months later, the hype surrounding the American had built up so much that she appeared to be feeling the pressure when she was visibly emotional following her straight-sets loss to then-defending champion Naomi Osaka in the third round of the US Open.
Now 18, Gauff is coming off an outstanding 2022 season, highlighted by an appearance in the French Open final and a career-high ranking of four.
Raducanu was also forced under the spotlight during her teens.
In the same year she was completing her A-level exams, the Briton won the 2021 US Open as a 19-year-old.
She is the only qualifier to win a major in the Open era and became the first British woman in 44 years to claim a grand-slam singles championship.
Raducanu has since enjoyed mixed fortunes. She was ranked as high as 10 in July last year, but has not advanced past the second round of a major since her US Open triumph.
The defence of her title in New York ended in the first round and her ranking has slipped to 77, while Gauff halted her progress at this year’s Australian Open with a 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) defeat on Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday night.
In tennis, especially in the women’s game, there is a history of teenage stars who have enjoyed early success and as a result attracted the burden of expectation from the media and the sport’s fan base.
Through no mistake of their own, this has caused some young players to suffer from burnout during their careers, with the names Martina Hingis, Jennifer Capriati, Andrea Jaeger and Tracy Austin coming to mind.
Speaking after her win over Raducanu, Gauff feels the pressure on teenage players is unfair.
“I think fans are eager to see a new face of the game,” Gauff said at Melbourne Park.
“I think it’s also a reminder, even if we didn’t play tennis, we’re just normal teenagers living our life.
“If we made a mistake, people would say, ‘You’re just 20, you’re 18 years old, you can bounce back’.
“I think people need to kind of relate that to tennis, as well. I think tennis is one of those sports, especially in the women’s game, used to having young stars. Everybody is expecting everyone to be at the top of their game.
“If you look at the top 10, everyone is at least 22, besides Iga (Świątek), she’s 21. Everyone else is at least 22. I would say that’s probably prime for most athletes at that age. I think people need to remember that and put that in perspective.”
Gauff feels for Raducanu
Gauff sympathises with the now-20-year-old Raducanu, as both have had to deal with the high expectations placed upon them at a young age.
“I definitely feel for her. I guess I can kind of relate,” Gauff said.
“I feel like she experienced it on a much bigger level than I did. But coming in on tour young, it’s a different life from juniors, playing in smaller events, to all of a sudden people knowing your name, people expecting you to win all the time.
“For me, last year was my first full year on tour. I think last year was her first full year, as well. I think it’s something that people need to remember and be reminded of.”