Coco Gauff just can't catch a break. Even before starting her Australian Open campaign, she's facing a tough road.

The third seed will be facing a difficult draw, even going up against a former Grand Slam winner in the second round. Her first game will be against WTA No. 55 Kamilla Rakhimova. If she manages to get by, she could either face Olga Danilovic or a seven-time Grand Slam winner.

Former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova will be a probable third-round player matchup, with Karolina Muchova or Emma Navarro in the fourth round.

The quarter finals will likely be against Mirra Andreeva, Elina Svitolina, or Maria Sakkari before a likely semi rematch with Aryna Sabalenka. 

Reacting to the draw on the latest episode of Off Court with Greg, Greg Rusedski didn't hold back on Gauff's chances.

"I look at Coco Gauff’s section, and I think she has the hardest section of anybody out there... She’s going to have to come out right from the start and play well. We’ve seen her start slowly at the United Cup, the opening match, didn’t play great, we’re thinking, is she going to get the form?"

All Eyes Will Be on the Coco Gauff-Venus Williams Matchup

This potential matchup recalls their 2019 Wimbledon clash, when a 15-year-old Gauff took on the 39-year-old Williams. The young Gauff beat Williams in straight sets (6-4, 6-4), a victory that launched her onto the global stage.

And after the game, Gauff thanked Williams.

"I was just telling her thank you for everything that she’s done for the sport, and she’s been an inspiration for many people, and I was just really telling her thank you...I met her before, but I didn’t really have the guts to say anything, so I was like ‘now or never'"

The two met once again at the 2020 Australian Open, where Gauff once again took the win.

Written by

Ishika Ghosh

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar