Coco Gauff set to drop out of top 5 after US Open 2024 title defense ends in 4R defeat, Emma Navarro to crack top 10
Coco Gauff will drop out of the top five of the WTA rankings after her title defense at the US Open 2024 ended in the fourth round. The 20-year-old lost 3-6, 6-4, 3-6 to compatriot Emma Navarro, who will enter the Top 10.
For Gauff, 2024 has held a string of hot and cold performances. She got her season off to a year start, winning the ASB Classic on her season debut. From there, the youngster went on to make the semifinals of the Australian Open, where she lost to Aryna Sabalenka.
A few lukewarm performances later, the American looked back in form, making it to back-to-back semifinals at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, the French Open, and the ecotrans Ladies Open. Post her impressive run at Roland Garros, Coco Gauff reached a career high rank of World No. 2.
However, the 20-year-old hasn't been able to hold on to that form and has failed to make it past the round of 16 in her last five tournaments. Her latest disappointment came at the US Open, where she entered as the defending champion and was knocked out in the fourth round by Emma Navarro. As a result, Gauff will be dropping out of the top five of the WTA rankings, while her compatriot will enter the top 10 for the very first time in her career.
Coco Gauff receives support from Emma Navarro after early exit at the US Open
Coco Gauff was far from her typical self at the US Open, with her clash against Emma Navarro marred by unforced errors. The 20-year-old racked up 19 double-faults during the match, 11 of which were in the third set alone.
However, despite her disappointing performance on the courts of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Gauff received support and encouragement from her opponent and compatriot. After the match, Navarro was quick to praise the defending champion, saying in an on-court interview:
“Coco is an amazing player; I have a ton of respect for her. I know she’s gonna come back and win this one year.”
For Gauff, this outing at the US Open marks her second consecutive loss to Navarro. Earlier this year, the 20-year-old lost to her countrymate at Wimbledon. Back then, the scoreline read 4-6, 3-6, in favor of Navarro, who had entered the event as the 19th seed.