"I was like might as well flex that": Coco Gauff on wearing Olympic necklace gifted by Desirae Krawczyk at US Open to boast her flag-bearer credential
Coco Gauff is flexing her flag-bearer credentials from the 2024 Paris Olympics in her title defense at the US Open. She recently advanced to the second round of the women's singles event.
Gauff defeated France's Varvara Gracheva 6-2, 6-0 on Monday, August 26, saving eight break points and converting five. She also hit 10 aces and won a total of 62 points to close the match.
After the win, the 20-year-old answered several questions while speaking to the media. One of the reporters talked about the Olympic rings necklace that she was wearing during the interaction.
In her response, she said that the jewelry was a gift from fellow American Desirae Krawczyk.
"Yeah, Desirae Krawczyk actually gifted the whole team these necklaces. We had the choice between a necklace or a ring. I wish I could remember the brand. You have to ask her," Coco Gauff said.
In the opening ceremony, she notably led Team USA as the flag-bearer alongside LeBron James. Thus, she felt it was fitting to carry the achievement on her neck.
"Usually I try to wear a necklace during the whole tournament. Last year I think I wore a locket-type necklace. I was like I just came off the Olympics and was a flag bearer. So I was like I might as well flex that, so I wore the Olympic... yeah. Some people get the tattoos. I don't know if I'm committed to a tattoo yet. So I was like, I'll do the necklace," she added.
Coco Gauff notably fought for medals in all categories, namely singles, doubles (with Jessica Pegula), and mixed doubles (with Taylor Fritz). However, she exited the contention from the third round, second round, and quarterfinals in the three categories, respectively.
Coco Gauff to face Tatjana Maria in US Open 2R
Coco Gauff's next challenge in her title defense at the 2024 US Open women's singles event is Germany's Tatjana Maria, who defeated Argentina's Solana Sierra 6-2, 6-3 in her opening-round effort.
The World No. 3 has a win over Maria from their first-round meeting at the ASB Classic in January 2023. She overcame the German 6-4, 6-1 on the back of five break points and a 70 percent conversion rate on her first serve points.
In the third round, the winner between the two will face the winner of an all-Ukrainian meeting between 27th seed Elina Svitolina and unseeded Anhelina Kalinina, who take on each other in their second round.