Coco Gauff reveals Love Island obsession and wants to invite cast to US Open to watch her

COCO GAUFF says her life has been consumed this summer by the recent romantic shenanigans on Love Island USA.

And she would love to invite some of the cast members to Flushing Meadows to watch her US Open matches – but she has not plucked up the “courage” to send out requests.

The American tennis superstar, the highest-paid female athlete in the world, is a big fan of trashy reality television.

The seventh season of the American version of the TV show premiered on Peacock on June 3 and concluded with episode 36 on July 13.

Up to 30 contestants tried to find love while staying in a villa on the Pacific island of Fiji.

Dominican-American cardiac nurse Amaya Espinal, 25, from New York City and Boston-based financial accountant Bryan Arenales, 28, were crowned the winners of the show last month.

A special reunion episode will be aired on August 25 and Gauff, 21, can watch it live given she is not playing Australian Ajla Tomljanovic in the first round until Tuesday.

The 2023 US Open champion said: “Love Island is really the only reality show I have gotten into.

“I tried Temptation Island but I was like: ‘This is just dumb. Who goes on the show with your boyfriend?’ That was just stupid.

“Love Island took up my whole summer, quite literally.

“I’m trying to work up the courage to invite one or two of the cast members to a match. But I don’t know. I don’t have the courage.”

Two years ago, Gauff overcame Aryna Sabalenka 2–6 6–3 6–2 in the final but last year’s title defence lasted until the Last 16 when she was beaten in three sets by fellow countrywoman Emma Navarro.

It is hard to predict who will come away with the trophy this fortnight as the final Slam of the year always throws up some interesting results.

For example, there have been 10 different winners over the last 11 years – Japan ace Naomi Osaka was champion in 2018 and 2020.

Whoever is the winner come Saturday, September 6 will receive a record $5million in prize money.

This is Gauff’s first tournament since firing coach Matthew Daly and appointing Gavin McMillan, who was renowned for helping Belarussian powerhouse Sabalenka improve her serve.

Gauff said: “It was a very sudden decision. Gavin became available.

“I just felt this was the best decision for my game at least and I had to go with what I was feeling.

“I think Matt is a great coach and a great person and 100% I love working with him.

“We obviously had a very successful partnership but I’m just looking at the long term.

“I know Gavin has had experience with this before so I’m hoping I can just take on his knowledge and see what can happen.

“I won the French Open, made two finals back-to-back, quarters of Australia.

“I can think, okay, I’m doing fine and continue playing the way that I’m playing. But I know where I want to see my game in the future.

“I’m not going to waste time playing the way I don’t want to play.”