Tennis Legend Tracy Austin Reveals Bold Predictions and Untold Stories in Timely US Open Interview

Tracy Austin’s latest courtside take is making as many headlines as the action on Arthur Ashe Stadium itself. Speaking on the “Served with Andy Roddick” podcast, the two-time US Open champion dissected Coco Gauff’s fourth-round loss to a resurgent Naomi Osaka and zeroed in on a familiar sore spot: the 21-year-old’s vulnerable forehand. Austin praises Osaka’s post-maternity surge The Hall of Famer reserved special applause for Osaka, who is less than two years removed from giving birth and has stormed into her first US Open quarter-final since 2021. “Something clicked as soon as she hired coach Tomasz Witkowski in Montreal,” Austin noted, pointing to the Japanese star’s newfound defensive patience and heavier topspin that ultimately “broke down” Gauff’s baseline rhythm. A warning for Gauff’s forehand While Austin lauded Gauff’s fighting spirit, she admitted it was “tough to watch” the American prodigy struggle to trust a stroke that opponents now target relentlessly. The former world No. 1 knows the feeling: her own sciatica-plagued backhand hastened her retirement in the mid-1980s. “If that lack of confidence bleeds into the rest of her game, it’s a slippery slope,” she warned, urging Gauff’s team to prioritize technical reps over tournament reps during the off-season. Why Austin’s words still carry weight Forty-six years ago, a 16-year-old Tracy Austin stunned the tennis world by winning the 1979 US Open, becoming the youngest singles champion in tournament history. She repeated the feat in 1981 with a tactical masterpiece against Martina Navratilova— a final many historians rank among Flushing Meadows’ all-time classics. That strategic pedigree is why today’s contenders, from Emma Raducanu to Aryna Sabalenka, still cite her commentary as must-listen scouting material. From prodigy to broadcast heavyweight Retirement didn’t dim Austin’s competitive fire; it redirected it. She now juggles analyst roles for Tennis Channel and ESPN while mentoring juniors at her eponymous academy in Rolling Hills. Her voice has become a US Open staple— a bridge between generations that contextualizes blistering winners with first-hand memories of wooden racquets and serve-and-volley chess matches. How Austin sees the rest of the 2025 US Open With Gauff out, Austin tips Osaka as a “sneaky favorite” to capture a fifth Slam, citing her efficient first-serve percentage and newfound willingness to extend rallies. But she also singles out world No. 1 Iga Swiatek’s relentless footwork and Caroline Garcia’s booming returns as threats to a fairy-tale comeback. Legacy on and off the court Beyond tactical breakdowns, Austin’s broader message resonates: player development is a marathon. She points to Aryna Sabalenka’s late-career surge as proof that Gauff’s window is far from closing. “Twenty-one is an embryo in tennis terms,” Austin quipped, reminding fans that icons like Serena Williams and Roger Federer didn’t peak until their mid-twenties. Key takeaways for fans and aspiring players • Naomi Osaka’s heavier topspin and revamped defense are backfiring opponents’ power. • Coco Gauff’s forehand remains the tactical bullseye every elite rival will hunt until it’s shored up. • Patience and targeted coaching— not panic— are Austin’s prescription for the American starlet. • The 2025 women’s draw is wide-open, and Austin believes physical freshness could decide the title. As the floodlights continue to bathe Flushing Meadows in late-summer glow, Tracy Austin’s crystal-clear analysis keeps adding an extra layer to every match. Four decades after her own teenage triumph, her voice still echoes across the hard courts she once ruled— and the tennis world is listening.