A handful of players played their last tournament at the US Open this year, CoCo Vandeweghe being one of them. She found much success in her career, winning several titles on the way. Vandeweghe played against and defeated notable names within the tennis fraternity. However, there is a player she never got to lock horns with, and that is none other than her namesake Coco Gauff.
Like the teenage Coco, Vandeweghe too, is a US Open champion, but in doubles, alongside Ash Barty. Gauff had a phenomenal season during the hard court swing, winning two WTA titles, before winning her first major title. However, the difference between the two Coco’s could not be any more apparent.
Gauff is only 19 years old and is still carving out a name for herself. Vandeweghe, on the other hand, has announced her retirement from tennis. In a recent clip, Vandeweghe was asked to name the name she never got a chance to play, and her answer was instant- Coco Gauff.
OG coco would like a word @CocoGauff 😂😂
🎤 @CoCoVandey pic.twitter.com/7YIGQ3uuie
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) September 14, 2023
Vandeweghe called herself the OG Coco, and Gauff, Coco 2.0. “I want to play Coco Gauff. I am the OG Coco, I want to play Coco 2.0. I would have liked to have done that,” said Vandeweghe.
Fans too, were excited by the prospect of Gauff taking on Vandeweghe. “Coco 2.0 Vs. OG Coco!” wrote a user. Here are a few fan reactions to Vandeweghe’s clip.
Coco 2.0 Vs. OG Coco! 👍
— LenapeDevil (@LenapeDevil) September 14, 2023
Well, OG Coco better be ready to bring her A-game, because playing against Coco Gauff might just be a real “Coco-nutty” challenge! 🥥🎾😄
— Futbol Xperience (@FutbolXperience) September 14, 2023
CoCo Vandeweghe announced her retirement a few weeks ago before the US Open commenced. She crashed out of the last Grand Slam in the qualifying rounds against Eva Lys. She did not find much success with Sofia Kenin in doubles either, losing in the first round.
CoCo Vandeweghe has one last shot at glory
In her prime, Vandeweghe was a phenomenal player. She had a remarkable season in 2017, making it to the semifinals of the US Open and the Australian Open, and then the quarterfinals of Wimbledon. But she found real success when she guided her team to win the Billie Jean King Cup that year.
She has won 341 times in singles and 125 in doubles. In 2018, CoCo won the US Open with her doubles partner Ash Barty. CoCo is also a two-time major mixed-doubles finalist.
Although Vandeweghe announced her retirement, she is playing her last tournament at the San Diego Open. This venue holds a special place in her heart, as she grew up playing in Barnes as a rising junior player.
CoCo Vandeweghe and Danielle Collins caused an upset, defeating Lyudmyla Kichenok and Jelena Ostapenko. With this victory, the duo are in the semifinals, where they will take on Shuko Aoyama and Zhaoxuan Yang. Vandeweghe has a real chance to end her tennis career on a high note.