Coco Gauff says playing against Alcaraz in a singles match may affect her confidence
Tennis star Aryna Sabalenka made headlines when she, alongside Nick Kyrgios, brought back the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ at the beginning of the 2026 season.
The match was highly controversial, with some suggesting it didn't deserve the format set by Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King, in the latter’s fight for fairer pay for women’s tennis.
However, it proved a success, and Sabalenka has not ruled out returning to the format to play another top star on the ATP Tour.
Now, Coco Gauff has been asked whether she would ever play a male star in a singles match, with an interviewer asking if she would consider playing current world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz.
Speaking to USA Today Sports, Gauff was asked about her father recently stating that he would back the American to defeat Alcaraz in a singles match.
Asked if she would ever consider playing Alcaraz, Gauff said: “For the sake of my confidence, I probably wouldn’t step on the court with him.”
However, the American did unveil her desire to team with Alcaraz in mixed doubles.
“I wouldn’t be opposed to it, but I’d rather he stepped on the same side of the court with me, and I’d be down to play mixed doubles with him.”
Gauff has made a name for herself as a doubles star, as well as dominated the WTA Tour as one of the most popular singles players in the sport.
The American has won 10 doubles titles in her career alongside partners Caty McNally, Jessica Pegula, McCartney Kessler, and Katerina Siniakova.
Gauff has also partnered with the likes of Venus Williams, Alex Eala, as well as Chris Eubanks and Christian Harrison in mixed doubles.
Interestingly, neither Gauff nor Alcaraz have signed up for the US Open Mixed Doubles yet, so the all-star partnership could come as soon as this year.
The US Open is reportedly saving a wildcard spot for Alcaraz should he be fit enough to play the Grand Slam, after his race against time to recover from the wrist injury he suffered in April.
He has been rumoured to be playing alongside Serena Williams in the Mixed Doubles, but you could argue that Gauff would be just as headline-grabbing for Alcaraz.
