Gauff shines in New York: "I am no longer afraid of disappointing the audience"

It had to be this way, with Cori Gauff coming back against Mirra Andreeva, saving two match points to ensure this US Open 2026 goes down in history as an anomaly in a women's circuit where the era of chaos is now behind us.

Because it’s not easy for the four best players in the ranking to reach the semifinals, but here we have a blessed exception. Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, and Cori Gauff, the four women who will fight starting tomorrow for the last spot in the event. As for Gauff, her match today confirms that she continues in sublime form. It will be very difficult to stop her, a thought that gets reinforced every time we hear her speak.

Frances Tiafoe, the greatest inspiration for Cori Gauff

“I think Frances is a very bright person and it's a joy to have him in the circuit. He has always been very kind and has always encouraged me and my family. He's a special kind of person, and I think almost everyone on the circuit can agree that he is one of the few players who always lights up a room and shows respect, especially towards us women, also cheering us on. I think that is something really special. He is a rare person in this world and in this sport. I hope everyone recognizes that.”

Gauff expresses her new philosophy regarding the audience

“I think they have welcomed me with open arms since 2019 when I played my first US Open. I've learned to accept that I'm not playing to disappoint them or playing with the fear of disappointing them. I play because I know they support me no matter what. I remember when I played against Naomi here, I was very afraid of disappointing the audience, not necessarily by winning or losing, but by having a bad match or a bad result. So I think I no longer have that fear of disappointing them. I simply use it and know that when I step on this court again next year or in the years to come, they will still be on my side.”

One year more mature, a more precise Gauff

“Sometimes you are so focused on the now, now, now, because you want it now and obviously want to seize your opportunities when you have them. But, in the big picture of things, I am definitely sitting here with a mindset and perspective different from last year. And I think that, if anything, inspires me a bit more to keep working, because I see how much I've improved in a year. I think, ‘Okay, if I keep working and keep perfecting things...’. I believe my serve has definitely improved, even though it didn’t show up well today, but that's okay. It will show up tomorrow. I think, speaking of this, I would probably accept my worst serving match from last year. So I think it’s all about perspective. I hope to be here healthy next year and, hopefully, sitting here as a better player. Obviously, I want to keep progressing and hope to go all the way, but I’m focusing on the moment and trying to improve match by match.”

Confidence, a fundamental factor for Gauff

“Yes, definitely. I think I've learned a lot. I've played some tiebreaks this year and I've learned from them. Honestly, believing is all I can do. The game may not always show up, but I can control my confidence in myself. I think that even if it’s an illusion, the more I keep showing up and perhaps succeeding in those moments, maybe that illusion will become more real, I suppose.”

Tiafoe-Shelton in the semifinals, something more than a match

“I think it’s incredible. Especially on the men’s side, I never thought I would have the chance to see a semifinal between two Black players in my life. Just looking back, even when I was growing up, seeing who was playing, I never thought something like this could happen. And having myself in the semifinals too, I think is really nice. Obviously, I have a lot of respect for Ben and Frances, so I'm just cheering for there to be a good match and I hope the one who wins can take it home.”

Rybakina in the semifinals, her next challenge

“Elena is playing incredible tennis. Congratulations on being the new world number one, or she will be. I think it’s amazing. We played in Toronto and I didn’t do well, so I think I just have to learn from that match. I know I'm going to receive some aces and some winning shots, but I'm going to keep fighting and give it my all. That’s all I can do.”

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Gauff se hace grande en Nueva York: “Ya no tengo miedo de decepcionar al público”