Coco Gauff finds herself in a familiar environment at the 2023 WTA Finals in Cancun, drawing comparisons between the weather and setting in Mexico to her hometown of Delray Beach, Florida. This contrast to last year’s event is striking, as the 19-year-old arrives as one of the favorites, a far cry from her debut appearance in 2022 when she played six matches across singles and doubles competitions in Fort Worth, Texas, finishing with zero wins in the group stage.
Last year’s WTA Finals did not go as planned for Gauff, as she exited after losing all her matches. However, the young tennis sensation has left her mark on the 2023 season with a remarkable 16-match winning streak, the longest on the women’s tour. She clinched titles in Washington and Cincinnati and capped it off with her first Grand Slam title at the US Open, where she staged a remarkable comeback in the final.
With one more tournament to play, Gauff is determined to finish the season on a high note by aiming to win the prestigious WTA Finals. She has noted similarities between Cancun and her Delray Beach residence, where she lives with her parents and usually trains when she is not on tour.
Gauff expressed her fondness for Cancun, stating,
“It (Cancun) reminds me of home. I live close to Miami, so I’m really familiar, and everything seems familiar here. The weather’s pretty much similar, and obviously the beach. I love the beach. I’m like a mermaid, so to wake up every day and see the beach is a dream.”
While her performance at last year’s Finals in her home country was less than stellar, Gauff is excited about the Mexican setting. She had a positive experience during the 2022 Guadalajara Open, where she reached the quarterfinals. Gauff acknowledged the lively atmosphere and passionate Mexican fans and hopes for a similar experience in Cancun.
“The fans are really great. I played in Guadalajara last year, and the fans were really welcoming and supportive of me. So hopefully, I can get the same support here in Cancun. I’m hoping to play some good tennis. I’ve been practicing well, and hopefully, I can transfer that onto the match court.”
Coco Gauff’s journey in the 2023 WTA Finals promises to be an exciting one, as she looks to continue her remarkable year and make her mark in the picturesque and familiar surroundings of Cancun. Tennis enthusiasts can anticipate some thrilling matches from this rising star on the women’s tour.
Coco Gauff in 2023
LWWLWWWWWW Now the world no.3 (career-high), Coco played her last match on the 7th of October when she capitulated to world no.2 Iga Swiatek 6-2 6-3 in the semifinal in Beijing (draw).
Currently, during this year the American owns an overall 49-14 win-loss record. Coco has won 4 titles in 2023 in Auckland, Washington, Cincinnati and U.S. Open.
Coco Gauff |
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