Daniela Hantuchova has paid Coco Gauff the ultimate compliment, declaring she is carrying herself with a similar “aura” to the legendary Serena Williams.

Gauff has a long way to go to catch Williams’ record of 23 grand slam titles, the most in the ‘Open’ era.

Only Australia’s Margaret Court (24) has more but 13 of those were won in the amateur era before 1968. 

Coco Gauff of the United States reacts against Jodie Burrage of Great Britain. Getty

Gauff has ‘only’ one grand slam title to her name so far – the 2023 US Open – but has started the year in supreme touch.

The 20-year-old was dominant at the United Cup and is yet to drop a set at the Australian Open.

“She’s got it,” Hantuchova told Stan Sport’s Grand Slam Daily. 

Serena Williams of the United States celebrates after winning a point. Getty

“I feel like now when she comes to the site and walks around the tournament, a little bit the same feeling I had when Serena was around. You can’t explain what it is, but it’s like the aura that she’s got around her. The calmness, the confidence, just everything about Coco this year seems to be right.

“Yeah, we talk about (Aryna) Sabalenka being the clear favourite, but if there is one player that will cause her problems, it’s definitely Coco and I wouldn’t be surprised if she leaves with the trophy this year.”

Gauff, the third seed, will take on 30th seed Leylah Fernandez of Canada in the third round at Margaret Court Arena on Friday night.

She told Stan Sport’s Duncan McKenzie-McHarg about her new motto of ‘turning inches into miles.’

“Every day, just give as much effort as you can, and that effort will pay off, you know, in some shape or form,” Gauff said on Grand Slam Daily.

“It might not be when you want it or it might be when you want it. It’s just putting in 100 per cent effort every day, just trying to get better.

Expert makes astonishing Gauff claim

“I read a book last year called Chop Wood, Carry Water, and it was one of the quotes in that book. So I pretty much started applying it…

“It’s great to start off strong and I only expect the level to get higher and higher.

“Yes, I’ve had good results in the past couple weeks, but I’m always looking to get better and always looking to add tools to my game.” 

Coco Gauff of the United States at Melbourne Park. Getty

Mark Petchey earlier told Grand Slam Daily that he considered Gauff to be the greatest athlete in the history of women’s tennis.

“Listen, there will be people that say Steffi Graf is, there’ll be people that say Martina Navratilova is the best athlete in the women’s game. For me it’s Coco,” Stan Sport analyst Petchey said.

“I just look at the way that she moves on the court. She is so balanced, she never guesses with her footwork, she’s always there.”