Gauff reveals her biggest lesson after losing the final of WTA Rome

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Coco Gauff has fallen again in the WTA Roma final a year later. This time it was Elina Svitolina who prevented the young American tennis player from lifting the title, and in the subsequent press conference, she analyzed what went wrong to have success, and the lessons she takes for Roland Garros, where she defends her title.

The reality is that Elina Svitolina played a great match, but Gauff was too passive at several points in the match. Her serve failed again when she needed it the most, and she also talked about a certain mental block when making decisions, which led to another lost final. Nevertheless, she remained positive about the two good weeks at the Foro Itálico, which gives her confidence heading into the second Grand Slam of the year.

Gauff talks about what she needs to improve for Roland Garros

Defeat against Svitolina

Yeah, I mean, I don't know, today was a match that I learned from. I had many opportunities, but I didn't capitalize on them. I played too passive at some points, so it's a lesson for next time.

14 wasted break points

I didn't lack anything, I think it was more of a nerves issue. When you have so many opportunities, it's not about your game because your game is fine, as you are creating those chances. It's just about improving in those points. I think, as I said, I was too passive. In some points, I was unlucky in the first set, a couple of missed shots... She raised her level. In many others, I just didn't hit the ball well enough.

Tournament assessment

Obviously, I had a couple of tough early rounds, so I'm happy to be in the final. Now it's almost immediately disappointing because I remember last year in the final I was tired from the semifinal. This year I felt like I started playing and then every time I had a chance, I played bad. For me, it's more of a mental thing that I have to learn from. I don't think it's a block. I think today is one of those matches where you give yourself so many break opportunities, and you just don't convert them. I think I have to learn from this for next time because I'll be in the same situation again.

Surprised by Svitolina's game

No, I wasn't surprised. I already faced her in Dubai and at the Australian Open. I knew what to expect. She played almost the same. It's up to me to figure out how to improve against her.

Mindset for Roland Garros

There are many positive things I can take from this tournament and much that I can learn. I'm sure the pressure will be there. I think this week I've experienced all the ups and downs of a tournament that can lead you to a Grand Slam: I've been down in the score, I had an advantage, lost it, been in the final, had match point... I think I've experienced all the scenarios that can prepare me for Roland Garros. I hope to learn from each situation and improve.

Mental block in crucial points

I don't know. I think in the first set, the match didn't start with so much aggression. Obviously, I noticed that. I think that's why I played a bit more passively. And it worked. Like everyone, not just her, when you're losing, you start to play more aggressively, take risks. I have to acknowledge that. It's not just something that happens to her. Against Mirra, it was the same. Was leading 5-1, 5-2, and she started to take risks when they were losing. For me, I think it's about not lowering the intensity of my game when I'm winning or have break points.

Improvements for Roland Garros

I don't think it's necessarily about being more offensive just because I receive short balls. I think it's about seizing and taking advantage of those short balls, having a clearer plan on what to do with them. Today I received many short balls and simply did nothing with them.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Gauff desvela su mayor aprendizaje tras perder la final del WTA Roma