Coco Gauff’s turbulent year since US Open coming of age including Olympic honor and being left in tears at French Open

SINCE lifting the US Open, Coco Gauff has been a flag-bearer at the Olympics, launched a signature shoe – and appeared on the cover of a Wheaties box.

The American has also been reduced to tears at both the French Open and Paris Games , with pressures of being a grand slam champion taking their toll over the past year.

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Gauff came of age after winning her inaugural grand slam at 19 in New York last year – with a 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Aryna Sabalenka in the final.

She became the youngest American champion at the US Open since Serena Williams in 1999.

The world was at Gauff’s feet as she took her career earnings to $11 million – and looked to expand on her growing business empire as the new face of American tennis .

But amid increased fame and responsibilities on and off the court, Gauff has faced many challenges over the past 12 months.

Gauff is still No. 3 in the world – and the highest-ranked American, male or female.

She is entering the US Open amid a worrying slump in form over the past few months, however.

Gauff first showed signs of trouble at the French Open, even though she reached the semifinals and won the women’s doubles.

The emotions got to her in her semifinal loss to Iga Swiatek as she was moved to tears during a dispute with the umpire.

Gauff was left upset by a decision from umpire Aurelie Tourte, to overrule a serve from Swiatek that was initially called out.

She missed the return but told the umpire she hit the ball after the line call was made.

“He called it and then I hit it, I’m 1000% sure!” Gauff told Tourte.

“If he called it before I hit it, I saw my reaction – I didn’t even finish my follow-through!

“Are you serious?! He called it before I hit it.

“Can you ask him? They are booing because you know you are wrong! They are booing because you are wrong.

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“He called it before I hit the ball. I have the right to finish my swing.

“You are wrong, and it’s the second time it has happened.

“It is a Grand Slam semi-final, know the rules of the game.”

Gauff then began to cry during the match before her eventual defeat.

On a positive note, the 20-year-old was given the honor of being a flag-bearer at the Paris Olympics alongside basketball legend LeBron James.

But that was the highlight of the Games for Gauff, who left without a medal .

Gauff was reduced to tears at Roland Garros once again amid another dispute about an umpire overrule.

“I never argue these calls. But he called it out before I hit the ball,” Gauff said to the umpire.

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“It’s not even a perception; it’s the rules. I always have to advocate for myself.”

She added, “It always happens here at the French Open to me. Every time.

“This is like the fourth, five time it’s happened this year.”

ESPN commentators Chris Evert and John McEnroe fear the pressure is getting to Gauff.

“The thing about the tears, I think you just don’t know how expectations creep into yourself,’’ Evert told reporters ahead of the US Open.

“Everybody from Day 1 has thought about Coco as the next Serena Williams, the next one that dominates. That stays with you for a long time.’’

Fellow ESPN commentator McEnroe added, “She’s excited to be defending her title but she’s also bewildered at some of the results.

“The pressure of expectations – she won the Open (but) it gets more difficult in a lot of ways.

“You got people coming after you. You’re a bigger win.

“Everyone in her camp expects more and she expects more.’’

Gauff also lost in the fourth round at Wimbledon , where she was seen angrily gesturing to her coach Brad Gilbert in the stands.

“We had a game plan going in, and I felt that it wasn’t working,” Gauff said afterward.

“I don’t always ask for advice from the box, but today was one of those rare moments where I felt I didn’t have solutions.

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“I don’t want to say I didn’t have any, because I think I’m capable of coming up with some.

“Today, mentally, there was a lot going on. I felt like I wanted more direction.”

And she has suffered early-round defeats in two US Open tuneups – the Canadian Open and in Cincinnati Open.

There are fears that Gauff may have taken on too much off the court as she looks to capitalize on her new-found fame.

And so it proved after she had an honorary role at the Olympic Opening Ceremony.

“When I watched her at the Olympics, leading the parade, leading the whole Olympics, it was raining and I saw her trading pins,’’ Evert said.

“She was photographing and meeting all her idols. I’m like ‘Oh my God this girl won’t be able to play. She’ll be so exhausted.’

“Emotionally, it took so much out of her. She’s still a young girl.

“She’s in demand and everyone wants a piece of her.’’

Gauff still has huge star power as seen by her move to be on the cover of limited-edition Wheaties boxes this week.

She has also appeared on the cover of Vogue and launched her second signature shoe – the Coco GC2 – with New Balance.

But now she needs to firmly focus on her tennis once again as she prepares for the US Open as the defending champion.

“It’s been a long year but do I think (Coco) can turn it around?’’ Evert said.

“One hundred per cent. It’s who’s going to be freshest for seven matches.

“She can still win it.’’