Gauff culminates her metamorphosis in Cincinnati: "Believing in the process has been the key"
The American provided deep reflections on her transformation as a tennis player over the last year after seeing how her hard work is starting to pay off, with the title at the WTA 1000 Cincinnati 2026.
Cori Gauff addressed the media present at the WTA 1000 Cincinnati 2026 after being crowned champion, ending a notable title drought and confirming that the structural changes in her tennis are beginning to yield results. She looks optimistically towards the US Open 2026.
The young American has joined the celebration of women's tennis and has done so adorned like she has never been seen before and ready to make her mark. This success of Cori Gauff at the WTA 1000 Cincinnati 2026 has very important implications for her, as it demonstrates to herself that the technical and tactical modifications in her serve, forehand, and understanding of the game are effective, as well as placing her on the list of different Grand Slam winners and presenting her strong candidacy for glory in Flushing Meadows.
Here’s what Cori Gauff said after becoming champion at WTA Cincinnati 2026
Gauff regains confidence in her work
“With each match, I felt increasingly confident in trusting the work I had done and the training. Knowing that I can overcome these matches and that it's going to be tough in New York, but knowing the quality victories I've achieved this week, knowing that I can manage it even when I'm not playing my best tennis, but also knowing that I can play that great tennis that I felt I was playing this week.”
The changes in her game are starting to bear fruit
“It was frustrating managing my game recently because of the changes I made, but in the end, I decided to keep believing in what I had done and in the player I am and can be. I don't think this is an indicator that I am going to do well at the US Open. It’s going to be tough anyway, but it helps me see that I can reach my best level by being more aggressive at every point.”
"Like two times this week I cried in my room from all the support I was getting" 🫶
All smiles now from Coco Gauff as she lifts the 2026 Cincinnati trophy 🏆#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/QYa2qe2pKj— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) August 24, 2026
A mental shift to isolate from the noise
“I have changed my mentality a lot, knowing how to isolate myself from the media noise that may have surrounded me after not winning titles this year. I believed in the process I was in, and I think the turning point was after Roland Garros, when I realized that if I kept working hard, the results would come.”
“There are many stupid things said about female tennis players when we have a rough patch; part of the acquired experience is knowing how to isolate myself from that, focusing on myself and trying to be better every day.”
“Accepting my bad moments and being critical of myself but not self-destructive has made a difference in moving forward in this process. I feel more confident thanks to the training and I'm transferring what I do in practice to competition.”
Gauff and her expectations for the US Open
“I don't think this is an indicator that I am going to do well in New York. It’s going to be tough anyway, but it helps me see that I can reach my best level by being more aggressive at every point. I believe it has been a long journey, and I’m happy. It’s like going from night to day when I compare the player I was last year to the one I am now.”
Strong words from Cori Gauff, who could not hide her satisfaction at seeing how the tremendous exercise of humility, hard work, and long-term vision has already borne fruit just a year after starting. This WTA 1000 Cincinnati 2026 could be the turning point for a player destined to make an impact in the sport.
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