American tennis sensation Coco Gauff graces the cover of the latest issue of TIME magazine, where she candidly discusses her journey from a dark place to finding a renewed sense of purpose as she prepares to defend her first Grand Slam title at the upcoming US Open.
In the interview, Gauff, who recently turned 20, reflects on the pressures she faced last year, admitting that she struggled with the weight of expectations placed upon her by others. Following her early exit from Wimbledon in 2023, Gauff found herself in what she describes as “a really dark place,” attributing it to placing too much of her identity into tennis. “It was taxing to feel awful all the time,” she shares.
Gauff emphasizes the importance of playing for oneself rather than seeking validation from others. “It is much easier to play for yourself than it is for other people,” she notes, acknowledging the impossibility of satisfying everyone’s expectations.
Despite her meteoric rise to stardom in the tennis world, Gauff remains driven to achieve even greater success. While some players may lose motivation after winning their first Grand Slam title, she remains as hungry as ever to win more. “I always knew I wanted to try to win multiple Grand Slams,” she asserts, dismissing concerns about defending her US Open title later this year. “My goal is to be relaxed and have fun and play with less pressure.”
As Gauff transitions into adulthood, she embraces the challenges and responsibilities that come with it. “At first, I was scared to grow up,” she admits, “But now I’m embracing adulthood and womanhood.” She expresses a relaxed attitude towards major life milestones, including purchasing her own place, stating, “I always say it’ll happen in my 20s at some point.”
In a rare glimpse into her personal life, Gauff reveals that she has been in a relationship for a year but chooses to keep her boyfriend’s identity private. She values having someone outside of the tennis world to confide in, emphasizing the importance of gaining a fresh perspective.
As Gauff continues her journey in the tennis world, she remains focused on her goals while navigating the complexities of adulthood. With her unwavering determination and newfound perspective, she is poised to make even greater strides in her career and inspire fans around the globe.
Gauff in Madrid, ranking, and results in 2024
WWWWLWWLWL Currently ranked no.3 (career-high), Coco achieved an overall 21-6 win-loss record in 2024. Gauff is competing in Madrid where she bested the world no.47 Arantxa Rus 6-0 6-0 and the world no.34 Dayana Yastremska 6-4 6-1.
Coco Gauff will square off with the world no.20 Madison Keys in the 4th round on Monday at 4:00 pm on ARANTXA SANCHEZ STADIUM. Their current record is 2-2.
Coco conquered 1 title in 2024 in Auckland.
Gauff 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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