Professional tennis player Coco Gauff revealed a quirky pre-match ritual and candidly discussed her experience with the crowd during the Indian Wells tournament.
Gauff disclosed her unique strategy of listening to loud music before stepping onto the court, stating, “Some people don’t know this, before I go on court I like to play loud music because I actually don’t like to hear you guys when I walk on bc it makes me nervous. So I put on music.”
Her revelation sheds light on the psychological aspects of preparing for a match, showcasing how athletes like Gauff employ strategies to manage pre-match jitters and maintain focus.
Furthermore, Gauff reflected on her evolving relationship with the crowd, admitting, “I just started the waving thing last year. Before, I would be scared to look up in the crowd. Honestly it’s a lot of people.”
Her candid admission highlights the challenges athletes face in navigating the pressures of performing in front of large audiences, especially at prestigious tournaments like Indian Wells.
Despite her initial apprehension, Gauff expressed gratitude towards the enthusiastic crowd, acknowledging their support with sincerity, saying, “I wasn’t expecting so many people at 11 am. Thank you guys for coming.”
Coco Gauff on what she listens to before her matches:
“Some people don’t know this, before I go on court I like to play loud music because I actually don’t like to hear you guys when I walk on bc it makes me nervous. So I put on music. I just started the waving thing last year.… pic.twitter.com/uWJxaWQxrb
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) March 11, 2024
Gauff’s remarks provide insight into the emotional journey of a young athlete on the professional circuit, from managing pre-match nerves to embracing the energy of the crowd.
Gauff in Indian Wells, ranking, and results in 2024
WWWWWWWLWW Ranked world no.3 (career-high), Gauff has achieved a composed 14-3 record in 2024. The American is now having a run in Indian Wells where she ousted the world no.47 Clara Burel 2-6 6-3 7-64 and the world no.53 Lucia Bronzetti 6-2 7-65.
Coco Gauff will compete against the world no.28 Elise Mertens in the 4th round. Their current record is 3-1 for Gauff.
Coco 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)
