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Fans Upset Coco Gauff Won ESPYS Best Tennis Player Award

Fans are upset with Coco Gauff winning the best tennis player award at the 2024 ESPYS.

Pat Benson

Coco Gauff won ESPN's best tennis player award.
Coco Gauff won ESPN's best tennis player award. / Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

Americans have a reputation for being myopic when it comes to our sports and culture. If it did not happen within the continental United States, then it never occurred.

That is especially true when it comes to the ESPYS - ESPN's annual awards show. Last night, should have been a big night for tennis fans. Serena Williams hosted the show and did a phenomenal job.

However, Coco Gauff won the ESPYS award for "Best Tennis Player," and many avid fans of the sport were upset.

Since winning the 2023 US Open in New York City, Gauff has had an up-and-down season so far this year. She lost in the semifinals at the Australian Open and French Open before losing in the Wimbledon quarterfinals.

It's not that World No. 2 has had a bad year by any stretch of the imagination; it's just not the best. That is why tennis fans questioned the validity of the award.

One social media user wrote, "Coco Gauff won the ESPYS best tennis player over Iga Swiatek, Carlos Alcaraz AND Novak Djokovic. You can't be serious about this."

It's a fair criticism. Gauff has been good but not great, and certainly not the best tennis player this year. But winning the US Open is the equivalent of the world championship in the eyes of novice American sports fans.

Later this month, Gauff will represent Team USA at Roland Garros in the 2024 Summer Olympics held in Paris, France. After that, Gauff will look to defend her title at the US Open. Hopefully, we can see the 20-year-old reach her full potential before the end of the season.

Tennis fans can follow Sports Illustrated's Serve on SI for all the most important news from the sport.

Further Reading: Should Coco Gauff fire her coach after Wimbledon?

Published
Pat Benson

PAT BENSON

Pat Benson covers the sneaker industry for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Previously, he has reported on the NBA, authored "Kobe Bryant's Sneaker History (1996-2020)," and interviewed some of the biggest names in the sports world. You can email him at 1989patbenson@gmail.com.

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