Gauff: “I’m just getting better at taking care of business”
Coco Gauff reflects on how she’s grown as a player over the last 12 months, and the role her previous Wimbledon loss played in that
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Twelve months ago, Coco Gauff suffered a painful defeat in the opening round of Wimbledon, losing to qualifier Sofia Kenin, 6-5, 4-6, 6-2.
So jarring was the loss, that Gauff found herself in a “dark place” and was forced to reflect on her mindset towards the game.
This introspection sparked a remarkable turnaround, with the American winning her first WTA 500 in Washington the very next event. She went on to claim a maiden WTA 1000 the next month, followed by her first Grand Slam title in New York as well.
Now, a year after what was a turning point in her career, Gauff has shared that she’s a more mature player.
Gauff reflects on growth since Wimbledon 2023
“I think I’m just getting better at taking care of business and trying to clean up and make sure that these matches don’t go three sets,” she explained after defeating Caroline Dolehide 6-1, 6-2 in the first round of this year’s Wimbledon, where she is the No 2 seed for the first time.
“It gives me a lot of confidence. I feel like the last couple slams, Australian and French, I think I won a lot of matches in straight sets in the earlier rounds of the tournament.
“In the third set, anything can happen really with your nerves, their nerves. Sometimes they are freer, especially if you’re ranked higher.
“I am trying to take more care of just getting through these earlier rounds in a more orderly fashion.”
With Aryna Sabalenka withdrawing ahead of round one, plus Qinwen Zheng and Mirra Andreeva falling early, Gauff now has a prime opportunity to make her deepest run at Wimbledon.
The 20-year-old has twice made the round of 16 at SW19. However, she’s not counting her chicken, saying on Monday that, “no matter who you play, it’s going to be a tough person to play”.
