"Of course Coco Gauff got a weak draw & Aryna Sabalenka will fight demons" "Give poor Naomi Osaka a break": Fans react to "bloodbath" Berlin 2024 draw

With the likes of Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina and Naomi Osaka set to compete at the 2024 ecotrans Ladies Open in Berlin, Germany, the draw for the star-studded lineup has sparked a discussion among tennis fans. The tournament will commence on June 17.

Given Iga Swiatek's decision to withdraw from the WTA 500 event, Gauff will enter the tournament as the top seed. Following a first-round bye, the American will be up against the winner of the match between Beatriz Haddad Maia and Ekaterina Alexandrova.

The World No. 2's potential quarterfinal opponents include two-time Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur, 2018 Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber and Linda Noskova. Subsequently, Coco Gauff could meet formidable opponents like Jessica Pegula, Naomi Osaka, and Qinwen Zheng in the semifinals.

On the other side of the draw, No. 2 seed Sabalenka will take on Daria Kasatkina or Marta Kostyuk in the second round, with a likely quarterfinal clash against defending Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova on the cards.

Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, along with tough contenders like Victoria Azarenka and Caroline Garcia, loom as potential semifinal opponents for the Belarusian.

Tennis fans shared their opinions on the draw, with several of them contending that Aryna Sabalenka has a very difficult draw, particularly compared to Coco Gauff.

"OFC Coco got a weak draw and Aryna will fight against the demons," one fan commented.

"Sabalenka having Rybakina AGAIN?? These draws are RIGGED !!!!" another fan chimed in.

However, other fans argued that it is the American who faces the toughest path to the title.

"Not the reward for being number 1 seed is playing grass players in the first round," a fan commented.

"Coco's draw is so much tougher...," another fan suggested.

Several fans also bemoaned the challenging draw for Naomi Osaka, given the threats posed by Zheng Qinwen, Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff on her side of the draw.

"Can we give poor Naomi a break lol? She has had the worst draws since her comeback," one fan posted.

"Naomi pull out n come to eastbourne I'm sick of being disrespected," said another.

Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek's fans rejoiced over her withdrawal, expressing their relief that she would escape the tricky draw.

"Iga truly a mastermind pulling out of the tournament that would give her a draw like THIS," a fan wrote.

"Draw is out and i’m not having a mental breakdown @ iga thank u bestie," another fan shared.

Others highlighted the overall tricky nature of the draw, with one fan describing it as a "bloodbath" while another called it "horrific."

"Oh german 500s, you will always be bloodbaths," one fan commented.

"Omg this draw is horrific 😭 can’t wait to watch," said another.

Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka could set up a blockbuster title clash at Berlin 2024

Aryna Sabalenka (L) and Coco Gauff

Entering the ecotrans Ladies Open as the top two seeds, Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka can only meet in the final of the WTA 500 event. If both players make it through the difficult draw, the duo will set up a blockbuster title clash in Berlin as they both hunt for their maiden title on grass.

The two players have significant experience competing against each other on the biggest stages of the sport. Earlier this year, Sabalenka claimed a 7-6(2), 6-4 victory over the American in the semifinals of the Australian Open on her way to winning her second Grand Slam title.

However, Coco Gauff triumphed over the Belarusian in last year's US Open final, winning to clinch her maiden Major title. The 20-year-old also enjoys a 4-3 lead in their head-to-head record.