The COVID-19 postponement of the Tokyo Olympics to next summer may be a blessing in disguise for US teenager Coco Gauff, who now has another year to qualify for the team.
The 16-year-old has been handed a reprieve to lift her results into qualifying territory – with her chances even stronger with possible doubts about the participation of Serena Williams.
Gauff has lifted the Olympics as one of her main goals: ““(The postponement) definitely increases my chances (of making the Olympic team) a lot,” she said.
“Obviously I wouldn’t want a whole pandemic to help that, but it definitely increases my chances a lot.
“I’m not really trying to think about it too much because peoples’ lives are still at risk and I don’t think it would be fair for me to be like my chances are increasing because of a terrible situation.”
She added: “Hopefully I can get my ranking up and qualify. I definitely do want to play the Olympics. That would be pretty cool.”
National squads are comprised of up to four women, based on WTA rankings; Gauff currently stands 51st.
Main photo:- Coco Gauff practices at US National Tennis Centre Flushing Meadows Courtesy USTA
