Gauff already is a main attraction at the Australian Open, despite being just 15 years oldgetty images
THE AUSTRALIAN's Courtney Walsh notes 15-year-old tennis player Coco Gauff has "rapidly emerged as one of the biggest stars in tennis." She is "already a promoters dream." A "hefty slice of the crowd watching her" yesterday during her first round match win over Venus Williams were "chanting her name against a champion who has always been well received" at the Australian Open (THE AUSTRALIAN, 1/21). In N.Y., Christopher Clarey writes Gauff is "now one of the main first-week attractions in Melbourne" (N.Y. TIMES, 1/21).
NO WORRIES: PRO SOCCER USA's Mitchell Northam noted NWSL owners are "not worried" about league President Amanda Duffy's departure to become Orlando Pride Exec VP and "any potential conflicts of interest" that may arise because of it. Duffy will resign from her post, effective Feb. 15, but she is "confident that her new role with the Pride won't impact her current duties" for the next month. Chicago Red Stars Owner Arnim Whisler said the league has "zero concern" about Duffy and "her ethics" (PROSOCCERUSA.com, 1/20).
INVESTING IN EACH OTHER: In Chicago, Patricia McGraw wrote the new eight-year WNBA CBA is a "signal that even at a time the WNBA is losing money every year, its teams and owners are choosing to dig in their heels and #BetOnWomen." Early details of the deal "seem great for the players," while the league and its ownership are "taking a risk by pouring more money into the league." McGraw: "Now it's the players turn. Will the players fully invest themselves in the WNBA?" (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 1/19).
