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A former American tennis superstar has leaped to Coco Gauff’s defense after the 20-year-old phenom faced backlash for her recent Oscars appearance—a glamorous detour critics claim distracted her from on-court priorities. Gauff, currently ranked World No. 3, is gearing up for her Indian Wells opener against Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima, desperate to snap a winless 2024 streak that includes early exits at the Australian Open, Qatar Open, and Dubai Championships.
But as scrutiny mounts over her red-carpet moment, a legend’s fiery rebuttal shifts the narrative: “Coco’s balancing act isn’t a flaw—it’s genius.”
Why a legend says Gauff’s critics miss the point
The voice championing Gauff? None other than 2003 US Open champ Andy Roddick, who dismantled the backlash on his ‘Served with Andy Roddick’ podcast.
“When Coco, who is a business unto herself, gets a chance to knock something out for a sponsor, she rarely gets a better opportunity,” Roddick argued.
His take? Coco Gauff’s Oscars stint wasn’t a lapse in focus—it’s savvy brand-building. “You land in LA, then spend a night or two and get back on the court,” he shrugged, framing the move as logistical brilliance. “Stopping in LA to promote any brand or business and then heading to Indian Wells is about as tight of an operation as you’re going to get.”
Roddick’s defense pivots on a harsh truth: Tennis stars aren’t just athletes—they’re empires. At 20, Gauff’s marketability rivals her forehands, with sponsors like New Balance and Head banking on her global appeal. Skipping the Oscars, Roddick implies, would’ve been a fiscal misfire.
“Critics should train their sights on players who actually slack,” he fired, dismissing the noise as misplaced outrage.
Can Coco Gauff bounce back at Indian Wells?
Gauff’s 2024 slump—a shock Australian Open quarterfinal loss to Paula Badosa, followed by back-to-back early exits in Doha and Dubai—has fans anxious. Yet Roddick insists her off-court hustle isn’t to blame. “Global superstars don’t have the luxury of just playing tennis,” he stressed. “Coco’s mastering the grind and the glam.”
The Floridian herself shrugged off the drama at an Indian Wells presser, calling the critiques “overreactions” to the sport’s natural ebbs and flows. “Losses happen. My job is to learn, not linger,” she stated, eyes fixed on a deep run in the desert.
Why Gauff’s Multitasking Matters
Roddick’s stance underscores a generational shift. Modern athletes aren’t just competitors—they’re influencers, entrepreneurs, and cultural icons. Coco Gauff’s Oscars cameo, sandwiched between tournaments, reflects this duality. While purists fret about focus, Roddick sees foresight:
“She’s securing her legacy beyond trophies.”
But Indian Wells looms large. A strong showing could silence doubters; another early exit might fuel the fire. Either way, Coco Gauff’s juggling act—part athlete, part mogul—is a blueprint for the next-gen star.
