Gauff: “Improve to be ready for matches like this today”
Despite the loss against Sofia Kenin (6-7(5), 6-3, 6-0), Coco Gauff didn’t want to be too hard on herself. She fought until the end even if she was dominated in that third set. Most of all, she is well aware of how much she has improved this winter and that it bodes well for her season as long as she can keep on improving in order to be ready next time for that type of match.
Cori Gauff during Australian Open fourth round against Sofia Kenin
Q. You mentioned a few ago that winning is the
cherry on top for you.
COCO GAUFF: Yeah.
Q. The fun is even a bit more important. So how much fun did you have today on the court?
COCO GAUFF: Yeah, I had a lot of fun. The crowd was really rooting for me. I had a great tournament. I’m looking forward for doubles tomorrow.
Q. You were emotional leaving the court. Is it a bit overwhelming the last few days with the Osaka win?
COCO GAUFF: No. I mean, I was disappointed that I lost obviously. But I don’t really think anything of Naomi or my previous matches had anything to do. I think naturally when I lose, I’m just a bit emotional.
Q. What lessons are you going to take from this tournament, specifically from this match, as you go forward?
COCO GAUFF: That I’m capable of coming back. I know my second round I was down. Also I think I just improved since Auckland to now, even though it was a short amount of time, just a week. I honestly feel like I improved a lot in that week. With more training, I’m sure I’ll do better.
Q. What are some of the things you brought to this slam from the US Open, new parts of your game?
COCO GAUFF: Even though I double-faulted today a lot, but my serve is definitely better. I think my return is better. I think I moved forward. I’m happy with how I moved, transitioned, like the baseline to the net. I’m happy how I’ve been doing that this week. It’s something I want to continue to improve on for my next tournaments.
Q. How have the doubles you’ve been playing helped you with that?
COCO GAUFF: A lot. I think after my doubles, I was more comfortable going to the net. You just have that doubles match where you get those tough volleys that you don’t normally get in singles. It gives you more confidence.
Q. What do you think you’ve learned the most about yourself in this trip in particular? Have you surprised yourself in the last month at all?
COCO GAUFF: I feel like with the first one, the thing I’m most proud of myself is how I handled it on the court. Even though today I lost a set 6-0, I was still believing I could win it. I don’t think I showed any negative emotion too much in the match. I just tried my best. I guess what surprised me is how calm I was going into all these matches. I wasn’t really nervous. I was just coming in pretty calm. I’m happy that I’m not letting the moment seem too big than what it is.
Q. You said the other day your end goal is to be the greatest. What is the next short-term goal? What is achievable? Could you win a slam by 20?
COCO GAUFF: My short-term goal is to improve. I mean, that’s the main thing. I’m doing well right now at 15. I still have so much I feel like I can get better on. Even my parents, my team, they all believe I can get better. I don’t even think this is close to a peak for me, even though I’m doing well right now. Yeah, the goal is just really to get better, you know, have these good runs at tournaments, building up my experience and playing more tournaments just so I can be ready for matches like this today.
