Coco Gauff, the No. 3 seed and 2023 champion, remains optimistic despite an early exit from this year’s U.S. Open.
After her round of 16 defeat to Emma Navarro on Sept. 1, Gauff took a moment to reflect on her journey and keep things in perspective.
“I feel like there’s 70 other players in the draw that would love to have the summer that I had,” Gauff shared, touching on the achievements she’s made this year.
She highlighted the importance of perspective, noting that many players would love to have reached the fourth round, made the Olympics, or even been a flag bearer.
Gauff’s loss at the U.S. Open marks the continuation of a challenging period for the 20-year-old tennis star, who also struggled in the Paris Olympics, where she exited in the third round.
Leading up to the New York tournament, Gauff faced a series of tough matches, including a loss to Navarro that saw her tie her career high of 19 double-faults.
Acknowledging the “mental hurdle” she faces with her serve, Gauff remains determined to overcome it.
“It’s sometimes more of an emotional, mental thing, because if I go out on the practice court right now, I would make, like, 30 serves in a row,” Gauff explained. “But I definitely want to look at other things, because I don’t want to lose matches like this anymore.”
Despite her recent struggles, Gauff’s attitude reflects a deep commitment to her sport and a strong belief in her ability to bounce back.
As she works to resolve these issues, the young Olympian continues to aim for greatness, hoping to reclaim her champion status in future tournaments.
