Coco Gauff, third seed in the women’s draw, defeated her compatriot Sofia Kenin by a double 6-3 in 81 minutes to reach the second round of the Australian Open where she will face Britain’s Jodie Burrage
Once the match was over, in the on-court interview, the American tennis player revealed that on more than one occasion she has hadmore problems off the court than on it because of the uniform she wears.
“It’s not the first time I’ve used it, a couple of times I’ve had to ask a referee for help to unzip it so I can go to the bathroom, but hey, you have to sacrifice yourself for fashion,” Gauff commented to the general laughter of the crowd on the court.
The uniform, from New Balance, is intended to emulate the costumes of some of Marvel’s superheroine, as Gauff described: “It’s like a jumpsuit, first I put on the bottom and then you have to put it over your head… On top I wear a skirt and basketball-inspired sneakers for my father,” Gauff explained
The American achieved her eighth consecutive victory after a great end to 2024 in which she won the WTA Finals. She could leave Australia as world No. 1 if she wins her second Grand Slam, after the US Open she won in 2023, and if Swiatek falls before the third round and Aryna Sabalenka does not reach the semifinals.