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Hard Hitting Heavyweight Rumoured To Be Deontay Wilder’s Comeback Opponent Speaks Out

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Deontay Wilder

Deontay Wilder‘s career has been full of dramatic ups and downs and it is not over yet.

The American is now 39 years old and has plenty of boxing miles on the clock. In all, he has had 48 fits and won 43 of them., Famously, 42 of those victories came by way of often savage one-punch knockout. However, his trilogy with Tyson Fury proved to be his undoing. After drawing the first contest, he was twice beaten in brutal fashion by the Brit, the last time being in 2021.

Since then he has had just three fights – one easy comeback win over Robert Helenius, then a points loss to Joseph Parker in December 2023 and a knockout loss at the hands of Zhilei Zhang in June of 2024.

Hard Hitting Heavyweight Rumoured To Be Deontay Wilder’s Comeback Opponent Speaks Out

JUST IN: Floyd Mayweather’s status as the Greatest of All Time gets a direct response from Roy Jones Jr.

Despite many in the sport calling for his retirement, Wilder recently confirmed he will fight on and his return will be staged on the BLK Prime network, slated for April.

Rumours began to circulate as to who may be the man in the opposite corner, with one name mentioned that of Stephan Shaw. Speaking to YSM Sports Media, Shaw revealed what he knows about being the next in line to face Wilder in April.

“I woke up one morning and they were just talking about the fight. This was a couple of weeks ago. I got a call and they were like, blah blah Wilder fight. Today, I see a blog run with this so I shared it because right now in my career I feel that’s a fight that would be perfect for me.”

Missouri’s Shaw has won 20 of his 22 fights since turning pro in 2013, with his only losses coming in 2023 against Martin Bakole’s next opponent Efe Ajagba and Joseph Goodall. He has shared many rounds in the gym with Wilder.

“I’ve sparred Deontay since 2017. I’ve been you could say his primary sparring partner, I’ve been part of every camp since he fought Gerald Washington till his last fight with Zhang. It’s a fight we would love to take but it’s all smoke and mirrors right now to be honest.”

Wilder was set to announce his comeback opponent this week, however the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles saw the press conference postponed. With that in mind, it appears Shaw won’t be the man to test if ‘The Bronze Bomber’ can still compete in the division.

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BOXING

Floyd Mayweather’s status as the Greatest of All Time gets a direct response from Roy Jones Jr.

By
Floyd Mayweather Jr

Roy Jones Jr. and Floyd Mayweather Jr.are two boxing legends who have left an indelible mark on the sport.

Both are widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighters of their respective eras, sparking endless debates about who truly deserves the title of “Greatest of All Time” (GOAT).

Mayweather, with his perfect 50-0 record, is considered by many to be the greatest pound-for-pound boxer in history. His impenetrable defense and ability to control the pace of a fight made him a unique spectacle. Additionally, his career was marked by extraordinary commercial success, with four of the five highest-grossing pay-per-view events in boxing history.

Why Roy Jones Jr. Was a Superior Fighter to Floyd Mayweather

READ: ‘Hell of a fighter’ – Floyd Mayweather names the one boxer who pushed him ‘to the limits’

However, Roy Jones Jr., an undisputed champion across four weight classes, holds a different opinion. In an interview with Real Lyfe Productions, when asked if he considered Mayweather the GOAT, Jones Jr. gave a simple but emphatic response: “No.”

Jones Jr. explained that while he respects Mayweather’s undefeated record, he believes other boxers have had more impressive careers. “You got to respect anything a person does to stay undefeated that long. I respect it to a degree, yeah.Is it a 50-0 that I think he’s the greatest fighter of all time? Nah. [Julio César] Chávez went 80-0 at one point. 80. You gonna ever top that? No. He just didn’t stop. [Floyd] got to 50-0 and stopped because of Rocky Marciano. Rocky died. If he wouldn’t have died, he probably would’ve kept going too,” Jones Jr. noted.

Jones Jr. also criticized Mayweather’s choice of Conor McGregor as his final opponent. “And then, at the end, you fight a guy who’s 0-0. How can I respect that? Conor McGregor was 0-0 and they let you do that?So what pisses me off is I’ve had fights that I’ve tried to promote in Vegas at that time with that same commission. They wouldn’t let a 13-5 guy fight with a 13-0 guy, but you would let an 0-0 fight a 49-0? That shows you that it’s all about the money.”

While both Mayweather and Jones Jr. are undisputed legends, their contrasting perspectives highlight the complexities of determining the GOAT in boxing. Mayweather’s perfect record and commercial dominance contrast with Jones Jr.’s admiration for fighters like Chávez, whose sheer volume of victories remains unparalleled.

In the end, the debate over who is the GOAT will likely continue, fueled by the unique accomplishments and philosophies of these two icons of the sport.

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CELEB NEWS

Serena Williams’ husband Alexis Ohanian proudly shows off family snaps

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Serena Williams family

Serena Williams’ husband, Alexis Ohanian, is known for sharing heartfelt moments with his daughters, Olympia and Adira, while advocating for women’s sports.

His social media is filled with fun, tender moments with his girls, like his viral “papa pancakes” and playful posts about fatherhood.

Earlier this month, Ohanian posted a touching photo of his daughters on his lap, jokingly captioning it “Uppy^2 (Or else someone gets jealous).”

Serena Williams and her husband Alexis Ohanian and daughter Adira...

JUST IN: [VIDEO] Serena Williams reveals how she fought off health issue via this strange method

In a recent gym selfie, he shared his commitment to staying fit for fatherhood.

“Training for ‘Uppies,'” he captioned, whilst also thanking Elevated Performance Coaching for helping him create a workout plan that works while traveling.

At home, he treasures quiet moments with his daughters, including a sweet post on X of him reading with his second daughter in his lap.

“So grateful and happy to be with my girls this morning,” he shared, reinforcing his pride in being a dedicated “girl dad.”

Ohanian’s role as a father is central to his life, and he often reflects on the joys and challenges of parenthood. On his podcast, ‘Business Dad,’ he discussed his love for being a father to girls.

“I figured I was destined to have girls…and it’s awesome to be a girl dad.”

Despite his busy career, Ohanian successfully balances family life and work. In 2023, he tweeted that the concept of work-life balance is a “farce,” emphasizing that it’s not about achieving an even split but adjusting priorities as life demands.

His approach to work and family has been shaped by his wife, Serena Williams. Ohanian recalled a 2016 conversation where Williams told him he was working more than she was. This moment changed his perspective, helping him understand that overworking isn’t sustainable.

“When I’m working, I’m all in, and when I’m not, I’m all in on not,” he said.

Ohanian’s approach to family and career shows that with thoughtful prioritization, one can thrive in both areas without sacrificing personal happiness.

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GOLF

Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods golf league earns mixed reviews following launch

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Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy TGL

Sports fans have been reacting to Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods’ new high-tech golf league following its launch.

The TGL has earned mixed reviews from spectators who have been reacting to the virtual format and shot clock.

This ambitious project, which Woods and McIlroy have been gearing up to launch, is set to spotlight 24 leading PGA Tour names in weekly broadcasted clashes at an exclusive indoor venue in Florida.

The roster boasts six teams comprising four players each, including heavy hitters like Atlanta Drive GC, Boston Common Golf, New York Golf Club, The Bay Golf Club, Jupiter Links GC, and LAGC. Positioned as a fusion of traditional golf and modern tech, TGL unfolds indoors, utilising vast golf simulators as part of its drive to weave technology into the game’s fabric.

Photo shows inside the facilities at Palm Beach State College's advanced SoFi Center

JUST IN: Best is yet to come for Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, as TGL gets huge TV ratings boost

The opening event featured the likes of golf stars Xander Schauffele, Rickie Fowler, and Matt Fitzpatrick of New York Golf Club who took on Wyndham Clark, Shane Lowry, and Ludvig Aberg representing The Bay Golf Club.

The reaction to the TGL has been mixed. Some have praised the idea of a shot clock and enjoyed for the facilities at Palm Beach State College’s advanced SoFi Center streamed in, reports the Express.

One fan said on social media: “Yep, it’s something….first impressions is hopefully this normalises a shot clock”.

Another added: “I actually don’t hate it yet. I’m mostly jealous that there’s a place that exists with a 3000 square foot simulator screen and a green / pitching area that can change contours. That’s actually cool. Imagine having that as a practice facility”.

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The innovative TGL has been making waves, with one fan sharing: “I like the technology and engineering of it. Also love the different style and shot clock to make it fast paced (once it actually started).”

Another highlighted their enjoyment: “I’m enjoying it so far… watching the ball fly on the screen with a shot tracker is weird for me… but other than that I’m enjoying it. the pace is good and the inane banter is minimal… a win so far IMO.”

The creative course layout also drew comments, with one viewer saying: “Unrealistic holes are a choice but given that it’s virtual anyway, I think I’m good with it? I mean watching someone play virtual St Andrews wouldn’t measure up… so something new. Who knows.”

Meanwhile, not everyone was impressed. One fan criticised the event for a specific omission: “How does TGL, a made for TV golf simulator league, not show the distance on the shot tracer,” while another questioned additional features: “What purpose does the ref serve?”

Some viewers found the presentation lacking excitement, particularly due to a sluggish start: “It’s already boring,” complained an individual, referring to the 17-minute delay before action commenced. 17 minutes before they hit their first shot. Hype man. Pass.”

One person advised a livelier debut for such an event: “If I were launching a FUN NEW EXCITING golf league, I wouldn’t have the first 15 minutes of the inaugural TV window consist of … golfer interviews and rules/format explanations.”

In TGL, the team accumulating the most points emerges victorious, with each hole’s winner bagging one point. A match is made up of 15 holes and two sessions: the first session is a ‘triples’ nine-hole three vs three foursomes match, while the second session is a ‘singles’ one-on-one duel over six holes, where each player competes in two holes.

If matches end in a tie after regular play, an overtime challenge akin to a penalty shootout is initiated, where a team must land two shots closer to the hole than their rivals to claim victory.

Once the 15-week season wraps up, the top four teams in the league will battle it out in the playoffs, culminating in a best-of-three final to crown the inaugural TGL champion.

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TENNIS

[VIDEO] Serena Williams reveals how she fought off health issue via this strange method

By
Serena Williams

Serena Williams revealed how she managed to stave off insomnia by becoming obsessed with laundry as the 23-time tennis Grand Slam winner decided to turn her sleepless nights into productivity.

The 43-year-old retired from the sport in 2020 and has since settled down to become a mother to her two kids with Alexis Ohanian, who founded Reddit and has been her husband since November 2017.

Part of that new life away from serving aces includes taking on the burden of household chores to keep the home ticking over, which is something she decided to embrace by making sure everyone has fresh clothes.

 

READ: ‘Craziest’ Minor Moment Leaves Serena Williams Surprisingly Happy in Delightful Fan Update

She also made sure to clue her fans in on what’s going on by filming her restless nights and posting them to social media whilst providing a humoring running commentary.

“Oh wait, ew, those are not mine,” Williams says in a clip, posted to TikTok. “And it’s 01:56.

“I had coffee at like twelve o’clock and I just can’t sleep. So what do you do when you can’t sleep? One of my favorite things, laundry baby.”

Whilst this occasion might be self-inflicted after the athlete admitted to drinking coffee, she has battled insomnia through the past and hinted that it could even be an inherited trait from her father.

“I’m not a sleeper. I’m kind of like my dad, never slept much,” Williams said, as per EssentiallySports. “I can really go off of five hours of sleep, but obviously, that’s not healthy.

“When I don’t get enough sleep I just can’t get a good workout. It’s low quality and I don’t have enough rejuvenation in my cells to use the muscles that I need to use.”

What are the health risks of insomnia?

Many people might think that being unable to sleep is simply more of a frustration rather than a health risk but this is not actually the case, thus it must be taken as seriously as any kind of chronic sickness.

Insomnia can cause high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes as well as impacting weight, the immune system and sexual libido.

Mentally, it can cause anxiety and depression as well as issues with memory, focus and concentration and can cause stress levels to rise.

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GOLF

Best is yet to come for Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, as TGL gets huge TV ratings boost

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Tiger Woods Rory McIlroy TGL

The opening night of TGL – the tech-infused golf league created by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy – was greeted by impressive TV viewing figures, without either man playing in the inaugural match.

TGL debuted on ESPN on Tuesday with The Bay – comprised of Wyndham Clark, Shane Lowry and Ludvig Aberg – defeating the New York team of Xander Schauffele, Rickie Fowler and Matt Fitzpatrick in a one-sided match.

The launch of the league created plenty of intrigue, with some of the PGA Tour’s top stars playing fantasy golf holes – including one set on an active volcano – by hitting into a massive simulator screen before moving to a dynamic short-game area with a green that rotates and changes typography for each new virtual creation – all in front of a 1,500 crowd at the bespoke SoFi Center arena in Florida.

Tiger Woods Rory McIlroy

READ: Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy add insult to injury for Greg Norman at TGL launch

And viewers responded in their droves, with an average audience of 919,000 across the two-hour broadcast, with a peak of 1.1 million viewers as the players hit their first shots. Most encouragingly for TGL, which is aiming to attract younger audiences, the opening match proved to be a hit with its target demographic.

The “Worldwide Leader” reported that TGL’s opener averaged 402,270 viewers aged 18-49, accounting for 44 per cent of the viewership – a much greater proportion than a typical PGA Tour event.

The broadcast was a success in attracting younger male viewers in particular, with 77 per cent of viewers from the 18-49 bracket being male, compared to 67 per cent for the final round of The Sentry in Hawaii on Sunday.

And better numbers likely await on the horizon. Despite injuries suffered both on and off the golf course dramatically reducing Woods’ playing schedule in recent years, he remains golf’s great needle mover – evidenced by the 15-time major champion ranking top of the PGA Tour’s Player Impact Program bonus scheme for $10 million despite playing only five events in 2024.

Woods will make his TGL debut next week when his Jupiter Links Golf Club play Los Angeles, and although seeing the 49-year-old play simulator golf will not compare to the memories of him charging through the field on a Sunday, the chance to see him tee it up is sure to be appealing to both golf purists and casual fans.

And a week later, TGL will stage its headline attraction when Woods and his crew take on McIlroy’s Boston Common in primetime – without anything in the way of competition from the NFL or the College Football Playoff.

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BOXING

Usyk Summed Up Deontay Wilder’s Chances Of Ever Beating Anthony Joshua In Just 1 Word

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Oleksandr Usyk Anthony Joshua Deontay Wilder

Anthony Joshua versus Deontay Wilder is in danger of being the match-up that got away in this heavyweight era.

The two big punchers could have, at one stage, faced off for the undisputed crown, but failed talks and different paths put paid to that and both men would lost their belts.

Joshua was first upset by Andy Ruiz Jr and, though he won the unified titles back in the rematch, Wilder was then embroiled in a trilogy with Tyson Fury that he would come out relieved of his WBC belt.

Usyk Summed Up Deontay Wilder’s Chances Of Ever Beating Anthony Joshua In Just 1 Word

JUST IN: Claressa Shields Hits Back at Fan for Spreading Lies About Her Boxing Career

‘AJ’ then lost again to Oleksandr Usyk and couldn’t reverse the result in a return fight. The lack of belts seemed to then make talks easier with his American rival, as well as the introduction of Riyadh Season and its deep pockets, and the pair were put on a collision course, fighting on the same card against different opponents with wins setting up the clash.

Joshua did his part, beating Otto Wallin by fifth round stoppage, but Wilder was upset over the distance by Joseph Parker. The Brit would instead face and knockout Francis Ngannou. Wilder again tried to build back by facing giant Chinese southpaw Zhilei Zhang. He was stopped inside five leaving not just the ‘AJ’ fight on the ropes, but his career entire.

Usyk, having shared the ring with the Brit for 24 rounds, made a prediction back in 2023 for if the pair of knockout artists were to face off at their best. He gave his former foe a chance, but leaned ‘60%’ to Wilder.

“It would’ve been a phenomenal match. Wilder’s unique if he clips, one is unable to fight back. I’m going with Wilder on 60% for the contest. He’s a puncher and Joshua could be set on. Deontay’s able to send someone flying when he touches them. They usually have the flight.”

Joshua was recently stopped by now IBF Champion Daniel Dubois, once again opening the door to the fight after Wilder announced he will not retire. However, ‘AJ’ is much more likely to pursue another long-awaited clash with Fury instead.

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BOXING

Claressa Shields Hits Back at Fan for Spreading Lies About Her Boxing Career

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Claressa Gwoat Shields

Claressa Shields has gotten herself into a verbal spat with a fan on social media.

The undefeated ‘GWOAT’ of boxing is slated to square off against Brooklyn, New York’s Danielle Perkins on February 2nd at the Dort Financial Center in her hometown. However, her squabble with the fan is not about her next opponent.

Shields is coming off a second-round knockout victory over Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse in July last year. On top of that, her new movie ‘The Fire Inside’ starring Ryan Destiny as Shields hit the big screen on Christmas, and has become the talk of the town since. Regardless, what really started her spat with the fan has to do with some allegations the fan made against her.

Watch Shields vs. Perkins Live Stream | DAZN NG

JUST IN: ‘Hell of a fighter’ – Floyd Mayweather names the one boxer who pushed him ‘to the limits’

Responding to a now-deleted tweet, a fan accused Claressa Shields of avoiding top-tier opponents such as Amanda Serrano, Katie Taylor, Alycia Baumgardner, and others. The fan further alleged that Shields is more skilled at sparking online feuds than following through with them. This seems to have ticked off the 29-year-old champion, who quickly hit back.

“I’ve never been challenged by Katie, Amanda, Cecilia. The rest of the girls [were] just talking! So shut up!!” Shields responded. It’s worth noting that at one point or the other Shields has been in an online spat with most of the top women boxers in the game today. Although numerous claims have been made by all parties involved, they have yet to culminate in an actual boxing match.

In some cases, the issue is genuine, say the weight difference, while in others the callouts and threats were empty promises to drum up some drama. Nevertheless, it’s not just women in boxing Shields has beef with and would like to fight.

Multi-weight champion Claressa Shields has set her sights on an unusual opponent—Jake Paul. Ahead of her February 2 heavyweight title bout against Danielle Perkins, Shields made it clear she’s ready to take on the YouTuber-turned-boxer.

“I know that I can whip Jake Paul’s [expletive], and people who are against that are just sexist and they don’t know boxing,” Shields told USA TODAY Sports. The undefeated Shields dismissed Paul’s power, saying, “You can have power, but you got to have the skills to land a punch.”

Paul, fresh off a decision win over Mike Tyson, failed to impress Shields. “Jake Paul showed that he has not gotten better with his skills,” she said. Shields’ frustration with Paul dates back to his support for Savannah Marshall, who Shields defeated in 2022. “[Expletive] that apology. Fight me,” she challenged.

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BOXING

‘Hell of a fighter’ – Floyd Mayweather names the one boxer who pushed him ‘to the limits’

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Floyd Mayweather UFC

Floyd Mayweather barely put a foot wrong during his unblemished 50-0 professional career.

Only a handful of fighters were able to ask questions of the self-proclaimed ‘Best Ever’ at the peak of his powers.

There was his nip-and-tuck affair with Oscar De La Hoya in 2007, a shaky moment against Shane Mosley in 2010 and, of course, Mayweather’s inaugural encounter against Jose Luis Castillo in 2002, which many fans felt he lost.

READ: Reason why Heavyweight denies being Deontay Wilder’s BLK Prime opponent

But outside of those three fights, Mayweather remained in almost complete control throughout his stint in the paid ranks.

Other generational greats he shared the ring with were Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto and Canelo Alvarez.

However, none of them proved to be any match for Mayweather.

It is therefore a massive compliment to former welterweight champion Errol Spence Jr, who Mayweather sparred in 2013, that he was singled out as one of the best fighters the boxing icon had faced in the ring.

“Errol Spence, he’s a hell of a fighter,” Mayweather told Fight Hype.

“One thing about me, I’m always going to give it to you 100 per cent you know.

“And in training camp, when I was training for my fight with [Robert] Guerrero, Errol Spence gave me solid work.

“He’s a very young, tough competitor, so if I sit here and not give that young kid props, it’ll be bad.

“Even though after doing my time I’d been off a year, he took me to the limit, he made me work in the boxing gym, I like kids like that.”

Spence unified the WBA, WBC and IBF welterweight titles in the late 2010s and early 2020s before losing all three major world titles to Terence Crawford in a much-anticipated undisputed clash in July 2023.

‘The Truth’ hasn’t fought since that fateful night although he is reportedly close to agreeing on a deal to box WBO and WBC super welterweight champion Sebastian Fundora in early 2025.

However, newly appointed WBO president Gustavo Olivieri has informed talkSPORT.com that only the WBC title will be on the line should that fight make it off the negotiation table.

If Fundora beats Spence then he will keep hold of his belt.

But should he fall to defeat then WBO interim champion Crawford will be elevated to full world champion without throwing a punch.

“During the WBO convention at the ratings proceedings which I was presiding at after being elected, TGB Promotions through their council, Phile Weiss (lawyer) petitioned that Errol Spence be installed within the top ten at 154lbs,” said Oliveri.

“The purpose was to request that he be allowed to fight Fundora for the [WBO] title and he presented his case with strong arguments.

“But there are some factors that are undisputed: he’s been inactive for two years, he’s coming off a brutal TKO loss to Terence Crawford and he has never fought at 154lbs nor been rated at 154lbs.

“So I have those facts that are undisputed… You may say ‘Errol Spence is one of the biggest names at 154lbs, it’s a great fight against Fundora’.

“But based on those facts and the other fighters that are waiting their turn at 154lbs, having fought at 154lbs plus their level activity, their suitable opposition, having won regional titles, having faced rated contenders.

“If I allow Spence to fight Fundora immediately for the title with those facts…

“Would that be a good precedent to set? It would open doors for other petitions, ‘Oh you did this in the past, why are you not giving the chance to another fighter?’

“And we have done this in the past, Tim Tszyu wanted to fight Keith Thurman and we didn’t approve Thurman.

“And we’re not going to sanction that fight [Fundora vs Spence]. Fundora may fight Spence but it will be considered a WBO non-title fight…

“We’re going to allow him to proceed with that fight with the condition that if he loses, the title is vacated automatically and Crawford elevated to full champion status.”

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TENNIS

Coco Gauff’s Shot at Australian Open Glory in Jeopardy as Familiar Foes Lurk in Nightmare Draw

By
Coco Gauff

Coco Gauff has been riding a wave of brilliance lately, and with the Australian Open finally here, the American sensation is ready to make her mark on the season’s first Grand Slam.

Eyes firmly set on the coveted title, Gauff isn’t just relying on wishes to make it happen—it’s all about grit and game. But hold on! The freshly released draw has thrown a curveball her way, and the path to glory looks anything but smooth.

The American tennis sensation is fresh off her victory at the United Cup where she demonstrated remarkable skills to lead her team to the glory. But the latest Australian Open draw is all set to pose some challenges for the star player, especially in the critical stages.  As per the latest draw, Gauff will enjoy a smooth beginning to the tournament. She will play her first match against compatriot Sofia Kenin. While Gauff has lost two of the three encounters against Kenin, the last defeat came in January 2023 and since then, the star player has shown immense growth. Moving forward, she will face either the qualifier or Jodie Anna Burrage for the second time after defeating her in Eastbourne in 2023. But here begins the challenge for the star player.

Coco Gauff

READ: ‘Craziest’ Minor Moment Leaves Serena Williams Surprisingly Happy in Delightful Fan Update

If Gauff manages to advance to the third round, she will likely face Leylah Fernandez, against whom Gauff holds a 1-0 lead. Movie ahead, she will face either Karolina Muchova or Jelena Ostapenko in the fourth round. Gauff leads both the players in the head-to-head tally. However, Muchova’s rise in the last season and her tough contest with Gauff in the China Open can pose further difficulties for the star player. And if she manages to overcome this challenge, she will go on to face Jessica Pegula in the quarterfinals of the tournament.

Notably, Pegula leads Gauff 4-2 in the head-to-head tally and has handed her defeat at crucial stages. Be it in the semi-finals of the WTA Finals in 2023, or the mega-clash in Berlin last year, Pegula has managed to keep her dominance against the 20-year-old.  However, if she manages to overcome the challenge, Coco Gauff will likely have to face Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals of the tournament. While Gauff leads the head-to-head tally 5-4, Sabalenka has proven to be a tough competitor for Gauff, especially in last year.

The World No. 1 faced the American giant thrice last year and except for the WTA Finals, she managed to baffle her on all occasions. Point to note: Gauff and Sabalenka met at the Semifinals of the Australian Open last year as well where the American was outshined in straight sets. Besides, the infamous defeat that came for Gauff at the Wuhan Open where she fired 21 double faults, will further boost Sabalenka’s confidence. But guess what? Gauff has the potential to overcome the Belarusian force but despite that the challenges for her will not end. If Gauff manages to reach the finals, she will then have to face Iga Swiatek for the title.

Gauff and Swiatek have faced each other 14 times with the 2023 US Open champion winning only three of the encounters, While she managed to beat Swiatek in the last two matches that came at the WTA Finals and the United Cup, the determination depicted by Pole throughout will definitely pose challenges for Gauff.  But while the challenge is monumental, one thing is clear—this young star isn’t one to back down. And as she gears up for the tournament, Gauff is beaming with confidence.

Coco Gauff has witnessed immense success recently, After winning the China Open and the WTA Finals in Riyad last year, she entered the new season in a dominant form. And true to herself, she showcased impeccable performance at the United Cup, winning all the matches she played. These victories have given immense confidence to the star player and she is completely ready to take on challenges head-on at the Australian Open.

Speaking about the same after the United Cup, Gauff said, “Obviously this start of the season gives me a lot of confidence. “I feel like when I’m playing confident tennis, I’m playing great tennis. I definitely feel confident going into AO.” And it is not just Gauff who is positive of her campaign in Melbourne as experts are also rallying behind her. One such voice is coming from none other than Andy Roddick.

Expressing confidence in Gauff, Roddick made his thoughts clear during the off-season. “She’s going to sleep a lot better this off-season, and her steps are going to be a little bit lighter when she goes into problem-solving. There’s not as much scar tissue from 2024, she’s almost deleted all of it, and I think she’s prepped for a massive year next year.” Now, as the Australian Open unfolds, it will be interesting to see if Gauff can continue her dominance and overcome the challenges.

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