“The pressure is off, these are bonus matches” – Gauff hitting with freedom in Beijing

Coco Gauff is on a winning run that currently stands at 15 matches – and after her latest victory, over Veronika Kudermetova at the China Open, she reflected that things feel much easier for her now she has a Grand Slam under her belt and she is qualified for the WTA Finals.

“The end of this season for me, especially once you’re qualified, I consider it bonus matches,” she said in her press conference. “That’s why the first two matches I think I was disappointed in the way that I was playing. I think I was playing a little bit more tight, not going for my shots, not going for my serve. Today I was telling myself try to hit above 110, 115 as much as I could, be more aggressive.

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“I think for me in the long run, especially where it’s tough to do it, but I feel like now that the pressure is off, now that the Grand Slam season is over and I’m qualified, I think this could be a good week to continue to work on things I need to work on.

“Today I think I approached the match like that. I wish I did it earlier!”

Gauff: I feel more confident stepping on court as a Grand Slam champion

Having the US Open title has boosted her confidence, she says.

“I think having that win makes you more confident in these moments, especially the way the US Open went for me, a lot of three-set matches, a lot of tough moments.

“I think it’s way more pressure in the Grand Slam than a 1000, even though there’s still pressure, but it’s just less. I think I’m able to handle these emotions more because of that experience.

“Honestly, I do feel more confident stepping on court. Plus the way I kind of started on the scene, a lot of people wanted that for me and expected that from me. I feel like now it’s a little bit of a weight lifted and I’m able to play more freer, focus on the long-term and how to be able to set myself up to win even more.”

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