After a tough loss to Aryna Sabalenka in the Australian Open semifinals, tennis sensation Coco Gauff is ready to bounce back and continue her evolution in the sport. Gauff, 19, faced Sabalenka in a rematch from their previous encounter at the US Open, where Gauff emerged victorious.
In the recent semifinal clash, Sabalenka secured a straight-set victory, defeating Gauff 7-6 (2), 6-4. Despite the setback, Gauff remains determined and took to Instagram to express her mindset post-match.
“Reminding myself that I’m still evolving. Time to get back to work and come back stronger. Thank you @australianopen for the memories this year, and thank you everyone for their support💙💛🤍,” wrote Gauff, accompanied by a carousel of images from the tournament.
In a press conference following the match, Gauff acknowledged the challenges but maintained a positive outlook. “I had chances in both sets, but she played better tonight. I felt like I did my best with the game plan that I had. I think it just came down to a couple of points,” Gauff remarked.
Comparing the match to her US Open victory over Sabalenka, Gauff noted, “You know, the US Open I felt like wasn’t a great match for me. Yes, I won. I think I played better tonight.”
Earlier this month, Gauff had opened up about the pressure she felt to win a Grand Slam, stating, “I think I put too much pressure on winning a Slam. I think I was feeling like I have to do it.” Reflecting on past experiences, especially a Wimbledon loss in 2023, Gauff gained valuable perspective, realizing that “losing isn’t all that bad” and emphasizing the importance of enjoying the process.
As Gauff looks ahead, her resilience and commitment to growth in the sport are evident. Despite the recent defeat, she remains focused on the journey and is determined to return stronger. Tennis enthusiasts and fans can anticipate witnessing Gauff’s continued development as she navigates future challenges on the professional circuit.
Coco Gauff in 2024
Ranked world no.3 (career-high), the American played her last match on the 25th of January when she lost to world no.2 Aryna Sabalenka 7-6(2) 6-4 in the semifinal of the Australian Open (draw).
At the moment, during this season Gauff has achieved an overall 10-1 match record. Gauff conquered 1 title in Auckland.
Gauff is scheduled to compete next in Doha (Qatar TotalEnergies Open). She will begin to play the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 12th of February.
Coco Gauff |
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