I’m US tennis star at French Open who’s even younger than friend Coco Gauff
Robin Montgomery is not leaving Paris early.
The 20-year-old American, who is appearing in her first-ever French Open main draw, secured her place in the second round by sending home-hero Diane Parry home with a 6-2, 6-1 win on Monday.
Robin Montgomery is in the second round of the French Open
Montgomery dominated during the contest, winning five of her seven break points, dropping just three games and serving down five aces in her win.
It’s a victory she’ll hope she can use to elevate her status at Roland Garros as as she continues to climb up the rankings.
Up next for her is Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, who recently dismantled World No.9 and fellow American Emma Navarro.
The US sensation is ranked 115 in the world and made her debut five years ago as a 15-year-old at the US Open.
Since then she’s amassed over a million dollars in prize money.
She was able to qualify for the Austin Open early that year and also earned her first WTA 1000 win when she defeated Ana Bogdan.
In 2024, she faced her toughest challenge yet and one that she still remembers to this day.
It was Aryna Sabalenka in the third round of the Miami Open.
Robin Montgomery will play Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the second round
Robin Montgomery spoke about how she cried after losing to Aryna SabalenkaCredit: GETTY
She is friends with Coco GauffCredit: AFP
It took Sabalenka two-and-a-half hours to beat Montgomery, edging her in a 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-4 victory and one that demonstrated to the then-teen where her level was at.
“It was a very close match, and it kind of opened my eyes a little bit of where my level is and what I can actually do,” Montgomery told Clay Tennis.
“I was pretty Knowing that I was that close and it was just a few shots here and there that cost me the match… didn’t feel great.”
She even admitted to crying after that loss as she described how devastating it was to come so close to winning.
“I was crying! I called my childhood coach and he was like ‘relax’ and I’m like ‘no, screw this’. But yeah, it was a stinger, but it does happen for a reason,” she added.
“It’s gruesome I would say. She hits the ball very big, very hard and you have to always be ready for anything.
When you play against her it sometimes feels like you’re already on defense even before the point starts. It’s very tough, she’s a top player. The best nowadays.”
Shannon Sharpe delivers passionate response to backlash from fans over NFL contracts
Montgomery is also friends with fellow American tennis star Coco Gauff, saying she grew up with the 2023 US Open winner.
“We are friends! When we see each other at tournaments we talk, we go out to dinner, that’s pretty much it, but I’d say we’re friends,” she said.
“We grew up together, both chasing similar goals since young.
I’ve known her since I was 9, we had our first USTA camp together, so we’ve known each other for a long time.”
Montgomery will be focused on forging her own path in tennis, and this year’s French Open gives her that chance.
The added bonus is that it’s on a surface she enjoys playing on.
“I do have good results on clay. So I probably enjoy it and play better than most American players on clay.” Montgomery said.