Gauff: "In Los Angeles 2028, I hope to get on the podium"

Mónica Barberán Munera | 7 Aug 2024 | 20.42

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Coco Gauff will make her debut this year at the WTA Toronto tournament in a few hours, entering as the top favorite for the title following Iga Swiatek's withdrawal. The American is approaching the challenge with not too high expectations, knowing that just a few days ago, she was competing on clay at the Paris Olympics. The transition to hard courts will be a challenge she takes slowly, with good preparation and the primary goal of getting ready for the US Open. Gauff spoke with the media about her first Olympic experience.

- Low expectations after Paris

“I have no expectations for this week. I'm not coming here with expectations to win or anything. Of course, it would be great, that's the goal, but I'm realistic. I was playing on clay until three days ago, so yes, I think overall I'm trying to see where I stand and what I need to do to prepare for the US Open”.

- Her experience at her first Olympics

“I didn't really experience the full effect of the early defeat in singles, at the time I don't think I even plunged into great sadness, so I would compete in all three disciplines (singles, doubles, and mixed doubles) again in 2028 if that were a possibility. In four years, I'll be 24, so I'll still be healthy and young, especially if the mixed doubles draw is so small. I feel like it's something everyone wants to play and I had a great experience. From not being able to go to Tokyo to going to Paris, in Los Angeles, I hope to step onto the podium.

I feel that's what life is about, having a disappointing result and the next time being the best in the world. I'm trying to learn from this experience and overall, it has been positive. I would do it again, even if I lost in the first round. It was amazing, being the flag bearer was something I wouldn't have expected and meeting all the amazing people I met. In every Olympics I qualify for, I will definitely play unless I'm injured”.

- Achieved goal: taking photos with Nadal and Murray

“I could sit here for hours talking about all the cool people I met. I finally got a photo with Rafa Nadal, I didn't post the photo, but I probably should have [...]. I also finally got a picture with Andy Murray, which I had always wanted to ask for. So I managed to accomplish my two goals, getting a picture with them both. Ironically, they are tennis players, so I could have gotten them at any tournament, but I don't know, I just felt I didn't have the confidence. But at the Olympics, other athletes were asking for them, so I didn't feel out of the ordinary, whereas here, they probably don't get asked as much in these tennis tournaments”.

- Advocate for gender pay equality and women's role in sports

“I think it's important for sports like tennis to keep pushing because tennis is at the forefront of pay equality. And we're not there at every tournament, but at the Slams, it's a big step. As tennis players, we should be grateful to people like Billie Jean King and Venus Williams for setting that standard so long ago, and I think through tennis, we can also drive that in other sports […]. We haven't achieved it in every tournament yet, but I believe we have the personalities, talent, and arguments to make it happen.

As women, we continue to support each other and start our own businesses. That's one of the things I want to do, no one is going to hand it to you, you have to pave your own way. That's what I try to do with the brands I work with, making sure they give a place to women, especially women of color. I try to do it as best as I can. I'm still young and learning, so I hope to inspire other brands and girls to do the same”.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Gauff: "En Los Ángeles 2028 espero subirme al podio"

WTA