Gauff Defends US Open Title Against Gracheva

Coco Gauff returns to the U.S. Open as the defending champion, aiming to revive her form after a challenging season. Despite her impressive achievements, including being a flag bearer at the Paris Olympics and winning her first Grand Slam, Gauff grapples with impostor syndrome and hasn’t fully embraced her star status. Her recent performances have been inconsistent, with early exits in the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Masters. However, she begins her title defense against Varvara Gracheva and has a favorable early draw. Tennis legends Chris Evert and John McEnroe advise her to trust her instincts and play with more feel, suggesting that she should focus less on coaching instructions during matches.