Coco Gauff says she is refusing to look back on her Olympic experience in Paris with negativity or despair. Despite not reaching her personal goals and having to withdraw from the singles competition following a highly contentious call that was made against her, she says it was still an amazing experience.
Gauff made it quite apparent both before and after travelling to Paris that she was on a quest to win an Olympic medal at this year’s Summer Games. Moreover, Gauff didn’t succeed in the women’s or mixed doubles, despite being one of the strongest contenders to win a medal in the singles competition.
Despite not being able to bring home an Olympic gold, Gauff’s career and life were continually enhanced by the opportunity to serve as the US Olympic team’s flag bearer alongside LeBron James.
She talked about it recently and said: “I think I’m just trying to learn from this experience and overall, it was positive. I would 100% choose to do it again, even if I lost the first round in everything. It was something that was incredible. Being a flag bearer was something I wouldn’t have expected, and meeting all the incredible people that I met, I don’t take it lightly. And every Olympics that I qualify for, I’ll for sure play unless I’m injured.”
However, the American tennis star is not setting high standards for herself going into Toronto, given that she played on clay last week and didn’t have much practice on hard courts.
She added: “I have no expectations for this week. I’m not going into this expecting to win. It will obviously be great. That’s the goal. But, to be realistic, I was on clay three days ago. So, yeah, I think overall I’m just using this to see where I’m at and what I need to do to get ready for the US Open.”
Coco Gauff in 2024
Now ranked no.2 (career-high), Coco played her last match on the 30th of July when she was overcome by world no.21 Donna Vekic 7-6(7) 6-2 in the 3rd round in Paris (draw).
This season the American has managed to achieve a compiled 37-12 record. Coco has won 1 title in Auckland.
Coco Gauff will square off with the world no.270 Sinja Kraus in the . They have never competed against each other as of now on the main tour.
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)
Gauff has scheduled to compete next in Cincinnati (Western & Southern Open). She will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 12th of August.
Coco Gauff |
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