World No. 4 Coco Gauff has spoken of the level of difficulty in playing at the WTA Finals, citing facing higher-ranked opponents straight off the bat as the main obstacle, rather than the tournament being in a different format.
Speaking to press in Fort Worth, Texas, this week, the French Open finalist said, "Obviously, when you're starting off the tournament, you have a tough match opponent right away. But regarding the format and everything, it doesn't feel too different. But yeah, definitely the level is a lot harder right off the bat".
The 18-year-old American became the youngest player to qualify for the WTA Finals since Maria Sharapova, finishing her season with a career-high ranking of No.4 in the world. She sits just below compatriot Jessica Pegula, but both women have struggled in Fort Worth this week.
Gauff has lost to Caroline Garcia and Daria Kasatkina so far at the finals. It won't be a comforting thought that her final task is most likely to be the hardest of the three, as she is due to meet Iga Swiatek in her third group match in what is a rematch of this year's French Open final.
There has been some discussion about how players making their debut at the WTA Finals are adjusting to the change in format, with the eight players being divided into two groups of four initially rather than facing a straight knock-out format.
Pegula made reference to it earlier this week, having not been aware that she is still in with a chance to qualify.
But for Coco, it seems that she has settled well, revealing that the format "doesn't feel too different". This doesn't change the fact that, as an 18 year-old debutant, Gauff is up against the very best players in the world each and every match.
Given this, and the remarkable achievement it is just to qualify for the event, perhaps Gauff won't take her opening two losses too hard. Neither should we.
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