World No. 3 Coco Gauff has expressed uncertainty regarding the new regulations introduced by the WTA for mandatory tournaments. The 2023 US Open champion arrived at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships as one of the favorites to claim the second WTA 1000 title of the year, but her thoughts lingered on the challenges posed by the demanding schedule.
Gauff, along with other players, including 4-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek, has raised concerns about participating in major events in consecutive weeks due to the increased risk of injuries and physical strain.
During a press conference before her debut in Dubai, Gauff shared her thoughts on adapting to the new rules, stating, “I feel like I’m always adjusting to tour life, playing more tournaments.” She highlighted the difficulty of navigating the mandatory tournament situation and reflected on her decision to play in Doha just after the Australian Open.
“I’m still learning the whole mandatory situation. It hasn’t changed the way I approach it, except maybe after Australia I was thinking about maybe not playing in Doha. Since it was a 1000, I decided to play. I don’t base my results off of that decision. It’s definitely different. I think I’m on the fence of just waiting and seeing how it goes,” Gauff remarked.
Gauff also expressed her belief that there should be flexibility in the regulations, suggesting, “I think maybe missing one or two should be allowed with the way our sport is.” She acknowledged the business and media aspects of promoting the sport but emphasized the importance of players making decisions based on what is best for their well-being rather than focusing solely on rankings or external pressures.
Despite her unexpected loss to Katerina Siniakova in Qatar, Gauff remains resilient, emphasizing the importance of balance and listening to one’s body and mind. “You lose more than you win, especially in tennis,” she noted. “For me, I’ve been just trying to enjoy the other aspects in life other than that. Just listening to your body and listening to your mind. If you feel like you need to miss a tournament, miss it. For me, I’ll always try to play as much as I can with being healthy.”
Gauff’s insights shed light on the complexities faced by professional tennis players in navigating tournament schedules and balancing performance with physical and mental well-being. As discussions surrounding tournament regulations continue, players like Gauff advocate for a holistic approach that prioritizes player health and longevity in the sport.
Gauff in Dubai, ranking, and results in 2024
WWLLWLWWLW Ranked no.3 (career-high), the American has a compiled 11-2 match record in 2024. Gauff is playing at the moment in Dubai where she toppled the world no.58 Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-1 7-5.
Coco Gauff will face the world no.36 Karolina Pliskova in the 3rd round on Wednesday at 2:00 pm on Centre Court. Their current record is 1-1.
Gauff conquered 1 title in 2024 in Auckland.
The American won 7 titles in her career: 5 on hard courts, 1 on clay courts and 1 on indoor courts. (See the list of her titles)
Coco Gauff |
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