Gauff: "Thanks to the public for so much support, I know that in the final it won't be the same"

Fernando Murciego | 16 May 2025 | 01.12

Cori Gauff celebrates her pass to the final in Rome. Source: Getty

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Although it probably wasn't the highest-level tennis match of the week – 158 unforced errors between the two players – few matchups can offer as much excitement as the one experienced tonight at the WTA 1000 in Rome between Coco Gauff and Qinwen Zheng. With the clock stopped at three and a half hours, the American came out on top in a fiercely contested duel, considering the role Pere Riba played on the sidelines as the current coach of one player and former coach of the other. Nothing could stop the American, not even those two fortunate points that ultimately tilted the balance of an epic battle that began on Thursday and ended on Friday.

"This victory is very special; for me, it means a lot to have finally secured this spot in the final. I especially want to thank all the fans who stayed in the stands until the end; I am very aware of the late hour at which we finished. I truly appreciate all the support I received during this match, knowing that it may not be the same in the final (laughs), but it's all good. Thank you all for the warmth of this night; it's time for everyone to go rest now," joked the World No. 3 in her post-match on-court interview.

With little time to extend the conversation, as the late hour called for a quick wrap-up and closing shop until tomorrow, the journalist wanted to deviate slightly from the script and aim for a more relaxed target, away from pure competition, seeking more curiosity to end the day with a smile. Does Gauff have any quirks that she strictly follows on such important days as this? An interesting question that ended up putting the player's dad in the spotlight.

"The truth is I don't have any superstition or ritual at these moments, although I usually do the same things before each match, always eating the same. For a while now, I've been trying not to be too superstitious in sports because these things can drive you completely crazy in the end. For example, my dad is very superstitious, and simply because of this, he hasn't appeared in my coaching box during matches in a long time; it's too much for him," remarked the American with the story already well accepted.

SECOND CONSECUTIVE FINAL

Interestingly, Gauff's season had not been particularly outstanding until a couple of weeks ago, with reaching the quarterfinals at the Australian Open being her best result, although it was quite bitter. Everything changed at the Mutua Madrid Open, where Coco regained confidence to once again reach a final of the highest category, although there, Sabalenka prevented her from tasting success. Fifteen days later, she repeated the path to success to reach a new final, her first at the Foro Italico, where Jasmine Paolini awaits her next Saturday. While we count down the hours until the match, the Delray Beach native reveals her only 'superstitions' in the days leading up to an event that could be crucial in her career.

"In my case, I simply try to enjoy each day, step onto the court unburdened whenever I get the chance, showing myself as I am. Obviously, on nights like this where things go as you want, everything is looked at in a different light, although I admit that it hasn't been a day where I feel I showed my best version, so this makes me very proud," concludes the woman who will leave Rome in the second spot on the world ranking.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Gauff: “Gracias al público por tanto apoyo, sé que en la final no será lo mismo”