Gauff takes her Wimbledon tough elimination with philosophy: "All champions go through it"

Coco Gauff has suffered one of the most painful defeats of her short career against Karolina Muchova in the Wimbledon 2026 semifinals. Both players engaged in an epic match, and the American had a match point to seal her spot in her first final at the All England Club. However, she failed miserably and was eliminated, although she showed great maturity in the press conference and took her elimination philosophically.

With a match point in her favor, she played a drop shot that hit the net, a moment she will remember for a long time, but Gauff has revealed that she does not regret it. She also mentioned that all great champions have experienced defeats like this, citing Roger Federer and Jannik Sinner as examples and stating that she will learn from it. A champion's mentality that will surely help her cope better with just missing out on adding another Grand Slam to her record.

Gauff remains positive after experiencing one of the toughest defeats of her career

There are many positive aspects. Obviously, I was very close. I will definitely think about the second, the third, the last point, whatever, but overall I think it was a positive tournament for me. A match that I will certainly remember. It's hard to process, but I don't know, I'm content.

Key mistake with match point in her favor

One thing is to wonder why play a drop shot, but then I think about how many points I won with it. Yes, people who don't watch tennis will say: Why did you do that? Ultimately, that was the decision I made. Was it the right one at that moment? Perhaps not. But also, if I had made it, everyone would have said how decisive the shot was. I think that's tennis. Points are lost by margins.

Honestly, the return ended up in a tricky spot. The bounce caught me off guard. I panicked a bit. I think moments like this are necessary to learn, to have a clearer and more concise plan of what I want to do. In the end, I gave it my all. My only regret—or rather, I don't regret anything—is that I think these are just points where I want to make better decisions. But that's how you learn and become a better player.

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Thoughts before playing the drop shot in that match point

Frankly, I didn't change my mind much. If I had to do it again, I probably would have tried a crosscourt sliced forehand. The ball bounce wasn't that high. I don't know if I would have hit a forehand or not. I have to watch it again to know. Yes, it's tough because it was on my match point, but in the end, if this point had occurred with the score tied 1-1 in the tiebreak, we wouldn't be here talking about it. But it happened on match point. It's a lesson learned. I know I can do better and improve on that, and definitely opt for a shot with more margin in a pressure moment.

How will Gauff recover from the tough defeat against Noskova?

I will think about it tonight. I don't know if I've ever lost a match after having a match point. If I did, I can't remember the last time. I don't know how long it will take me to recover. Honestly, I don't think too long. I had many emotions after the match, but now I'm just a decision away, maybe sitting in this press conference with a different mood. I see Roger lose match points here, Jannik obviously at Roland Garros. All the great champions go through this in their careers. Maybe this is something I need to reach their level.

Gauff reveals her mental state after such a painful defeat

As much as it hurts from the outside, I think about being down 7-4 in the super tiebreak in the second round and I made it here, to the semifinals. I didn't think I'd make it to the semifinals this year. It's not a painful story. Many people would love to lose in the Wimbledon semifinals on match point. This is something I wouldn't want to experience again, definitely not. I think it will make my next victory even sweeter. I had a match earlier this year, saved six match points. It was just one of those days when things didn't go as I wanted. Someone had to lose, and unfortunately, it was me today.

Increased percentage of net approaches

I think I should do it more, honestly. On grass, it's obviously a good strategy. Maybe I don't volley flat out like Karolina, but I have good technique. Overall, it's something I want to continue improving, on any surface, but especially on grass. When you play against someone who retrieves as many balls as she does, it's also a tactic to try to finish the point a bit earlier. Especially against someone who plays with slice, to make it less tricky.

Improvement of her grass performance in Wimbledon 2026

I definitely think I'm progressing in the right direction with the serve, being more aggressive. Undoubtedly, there are some points I regret, maybe for being more passive at some break points. It will take time to put myself in these situations to unlearn habits and create new ones. Love me or hate me, you can't deny the progress I've made in this tournament. I don't know, there are many positive aspects. I'm very excited about the future, unquestionably.

Muchova's level

I've always said she's a successful player, but I think she deserves more success for the talent she has. The head-to-head record has favored me, but she's not an opponent you want to face at any moment in the tournament. I have a lot of respect for how she plays and who she is off the court. It's a match I'll remember throughout my career. It's a shame to lose, but even as I walked off the court, I thought, 'That was a lot of fun'.

Pressure before the match

No, not at all. I honestly didn't feel like the favorite or anything like that. Obviously, I have more experience at these stages than the others left, but in the end, we are all great athletes and great tennis players. The past is past. I don't think it matters too much.

Expectations of winning Wimbledon in the future

Without a doubt, I have much more faith. I have many things to improve. As I mentioned earlier this week, regardless of the result, this is a decisive tournament for me. I needed something like this to restore confidence in this tournament. Certainly, I will return next year with more confidence and, hopefully, as a better player.

Possible social media reactions after her defeat

That's a good question. Sometimes I look, and sometimes I don't. We'll see. When I get home, if I'm awake, I might watch what they say on TV. I'm one of those who peeks a little, especially being so close that I don't want to look. Also, at the same time, I'm a tennis fan. I think it's going to be a great match in the final. Obviously, Karolina is great. Whoever she faces in the final will be great. Maybe I'll watch it; maybe I won't. I'll be online. I've already received some hate comments and such. It's okay. It just makes you stronger.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Gauff se toma con filosofía su dura eliminación de Wimbledon: "A todos los campeones les pasa"