Gauff: "I feel like never before, much better than when I won the US Open"

Fernando Murciego | 10 Jan 2025 | 20.00

Coco Gauff, radiant before making her debut in Melbourne. Source: Getty

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Such is the level of favoritism towards Aryna Sabalenka in this 2025 Australian Open that it seems there is no other candidacy that can overshadow her. However, it is our obligation to talk a bit more about women like Coco Gauff, who has been making a strong impact since the end of the last season and is still undefeated in this new calendar. Do I see her as the champion in Melbourne? That image is still far off, but she is certainly one of the rivals with the highest chances of reaching the final rounds. In this past early morning Media Day, she confirmed this with a speech full of confidence.

Ready to compete

“I am relaxed and calm, I know I have been playing well, but you can't play well all the time. I know there will be tough moments in the tournament, so I hope to overcome them. I just hope to enter without pressure, stay on the court at all times and enjoy it as much as possible, that's what I've been doing in the recent tournaments. Obviously, the results have been good thanks to that, so I am trying to learn how to do the same when the results are not as good.”

Working with her coaches

“Both Matt and JC are very good people, they have instilled a lot of confidence in me. When you feel that confidence on the court, it makes a big difference in your game, so we work to maintain that positive reinforcement. We also aim to stay close to reality, knowing that there will be good and bad days, but without feeling judged for that. Of course, there are aspects of my game we have been working on, like the serve and other things. Sometimes it's uncomfortable to focus all the time on the long term, making sure I am making the adjustments I need.”

Prime of her career

“Definitely, I feel much better today than when I won the US Open, for sure. I feel like I didn't play my best tennis in that tournament, I would say that Cincinnati was my best tournament. Now I feel better than ever, finally aware of the importance of winning or losing a match. As athletes, we get stuck when we lose, it seems like the end of the world, so we should always be grateful for winning. No one makes us feel that way except ourselves. Today I realize that it's never as important: if I can leave the court saying I did my best, that's all.”

A more complete tennis player every year

“I have some more tools to work with, now I have to go after my shots, control my double faults, and take risks. Before, I felt like I won many matches by retrieving a lot of balls, but I realized that's not the way to play if I want more success on tour, because the girls are hitting harder every day, being very aggressive. I have to be able to be aggressive and also run all over the court. Against Iga, no matter how big you are, you will always have to run a bit. But not just against her, against everyone. The tour has a lot of depth, so you have to bring your game, regardless of who you are playing, whether it's the No. 1 or the No. 100.”

Sofia Kenin in the first round

“I lost to her at Wimbledon, she's a great player, she won this tournament at some point. She has great clay court shots, is very stable, and can play aggressively, but also in defense. It's going to be a tough match, I am clear on that. I found out about the draw while playing mixed doubles last night, so I haven't thought much about it yet. Honestly, I think it's good for me, I feel like all the matches this year have been against tough opponents, so I am grateful to the United Cup and the WTA Finals for having to play against top players from very early on.”

Will Swiatek suffer a crisis?

“I wouldn't say she has lost her confidence, I don't know her personally but, from the interactions we have had, I don't believe anything she did was intentional. I don't think she no longer has confidence in herself, she continues to play tennis very well, the match we played happened that I was slightly better at some points, I won by a few points, but it could have easily gone the other way. From what I can see, I think she's doing fine, she's still the World No. 2 and playing incredible tennis. She will always play amazing tennis, she'll be okay.”

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Gauff: “Me siento como nunca, mucho mejor que cuando gané el US Open”