FILE PHOTO: Jul 3, 2021; London, United Kingdom; Coco Gauff (USA) seen celebrating whilst playing Kaja Juvan (SLO) on Centre Court in the women’s third round at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports
US teen Coco Gauff expressed the hope on Monday that a random suggestion to pair in mixed doubles with Australian Nick Kyrgios can become a reality.
“Hopefully, we can make it happen,” the Montreal Masters 15th seed said on Monday of a social media suggestion made by Kyrgios that they team up at January’s Australian Open.
“We haven’t really talked about it other than on social media. Obviously, Australia is far, far away from now,” she said.
Gauff said that she and Kyrgios go back a few years.
“He hit with me at the Miami Open when I was 13 (but) we’re not super close,” she said.
“I guess he asked the (doubles) question because I did an interview for ATP socials and they asked me who I wanted to be friends with. I said Nick. I just really respect him as a person and player.”
While Gauff might find herself on the same side of the net as the Aussie at Melbourne, the 17-year-old said she also has a “backup” plan.
“People don’t know this but (Nick) and Roger (Federer) are literally my dream mixed doubles partners.”