Coco Gauff will kick off her title defense at the 2024 US Open against Varvara Gracheva on August 26, but her recent performance has been concerning, with losses in three of her last four matches. Despite being the defending champion and ranked No. 3, Gauff's struggles include a disappointing showing at the Olympics and early exits in Toronto and Cincinnati. Gracheva, currently ranked 66th, has faced Gauff once before, losing in straight sets, but could capitalize on Gauff's current slump. Gauff's potential success at this year's US Open may hinge on her ability to channel the home crowd's energy, as she did last year. In light of her recent challenges, questions about her mental state and adaptation to pressure loom large, though she remains one of the favorites to win. The tournament has also made changes to match scheduling policies to prevent late finishes, a concern Gauff highlighted as detrimental to players' performance.