“I just feel older than 19” – teenage veteran Gauff owning her maturity

For just 19 years of age, Coco Gauff has achieved an astounding amount in her tennis career.

There is no one on tour for whom the oxymoronic phrase ‘teenage veteran’ rings more true than Gauff. Indeed, her spectacular maiden Grand Slam title in New York last September felt like the culmination of a long and winding road full of years-old expectation, rather than what it actually was – a teenager winning her first major.

This is primarily down to the fact that Gauff’s breakthrough arrived so early in her career, with her sensational charge to the fourth round of Wimbledon back in 2019 coming at the tender age of 15.

The other factor, though, is simply the level of attention the young American receives. The tennis season is a long one and much can take place over the course of twelve months. As spectators, commentators and media began scrutinising every minute facet of Gauff’s game, and her results – win or lose – became widely reported on a regular basis, Gauff’s narrative over the past four-and-a-half years has seemingly had as many twists and turns as players much later in their careers on whom the spotlight does not shine as brightly.

maturing gauff feeling older than her age

“Sometimes I forget,” Gauff revealed candidly in her post-match press conference, having just dispatched Magdalena Frech to reach her maiden quarter-final at the Australian Open.

“I know I’m not going to be a teenager anymore, but I just feel like I’ve lived so many lives the last four years, that I just feel older than 19.

“I remember like when I’m looking at the other girls on tour who are 16, and now coming up, 16, 17, like they just feel so young and I just feel so old.”

For someone who feels old, Gauff is breaking a lot of records for the other end of the age spectrum. By reaching the last eight in Melbourne, the fourth seed has become the youngest woman to make quarter-finals since Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska.

Despite this, the reigning US Open champion is learning to grow up quickly. She is also already thinking of protecting her body for later in her career.

“Adulthood is something I’m really enjoying learning. I’m not completely there, but every year I think I’m getting better and better at it.

“Going into this, I’ve always had the goal of trying to do better at making the first couple rounds. Not easier, but closing them in straight sets, and not putting too much stress on the mind and the body.

“I’m 19 now, but I’m not always going to be able to bounce back as quick physically or mentally probably years from now. I think it’s just prepping myself. Everything I do has always been for the longevity of my career, making sure I can have a long career.”

gauff very much in early days of career, despite huge achievements

With a Grand Slam title to her name and firmly established within the top 5 of the women’s elite, it is worth remembering that Gauff is still just shy of 20 years of age.

“I know I’m not that old,” Gauff continued. “But, yeah, I definitely do forget my age a lot.”

While the tennis world has been waiting for Gauff to fulfil her sky-high potential for nearly five years now, the true trajectory of this young woman’s career is one that has taken off extraordinarily early.

A first quarter-final appearance at the Australian Open is a huge milestone, especially at 19 years old, and this alone deserves the time and space to be celebrated for what it is.

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