Twenty 2020 Questions: What should we reasonably expect from Gauff?
Ironically, what might help the teenage sensation most is the WTA’s so-called “Capriati Rule,” which will cap the number of events the American can play, limiting people’s expectations for how far she can rise.
We're answering the 10 biggest questions on the WTA and ATP tours in 2020. The entire list will be rolled out here.
The price of rising so high as a 15-year-old rookie is that fans will expect you to top yourself at 16. Gauff rose higher than anyone anticipated in 2019—fourth round at Wimbledon, third round at the US Open and a maiden WTA title. She brought the crowd in Centre Court to its feet and earned an audience with Michelle Obama. Is she destined to hear those dreaded words, “sophomore slump,” in 2020?
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It’s possible. Gauff still needs to sharpen her technique, especially on her forehand, and no opponent will underestimate her again. But even if they’re ready for her, she’ll still hit harder and run faster than most of them. Ironically, what might help Gauff most is the WTA’s so-called “Capriati Rule,” which will limit the number of events she can play, and thus limit people’s expectations for how far her ranking can rise.
