Gauff Downplays US Open Expectations Despite Recent Enormous Success

Tuesday, 22 August 2023 at 01:00

byAlex Waite

Coco Gauff is determined to work hard and approach the 2023 US Open with positivity following her upturn in form.

Since crashing out in the first round at Wimbledon in June, Gauff has produced a run of consistently strong performances in North America. Her improving form began with a Citi Open win and was followed by a Canadian Open quarter-final run and success at the 2023 Cincinnati Masters, Gauff's biggest WTA title to date.

Inevitably, due to her recent success, predictions are being made about how far the 19-year-old could go in the upcoming US Open, which begins on Monday, August 28. Although, when asked about expectations heading into her home Grand Slam, Gauff said she will work hard to perform as well as she can, but also she will also remain focussed if things don't go well.

"Just embracing it but also just focusing on your linear path. I think the biggest thing that I've learned is that everybody's path for you is not what's true, it's not what's going to happen. Even the path that you want for yourself may not happen."

Read also

'Thank My Lord & Savior Jesus Christ': Gauff Thanks Jesus Christ After Cincinnati Win

"I believe in just, I don't know, you give it your all. That's all you can do. I'm going to give it my all in US Open. If things go great, that's exciting. If not, I go back and work hard and get ready for the next one. That's kind of the mentality you have to have."

In addition, the world number six wants to keep her own expectations as realistic as possible. As a result, Gauff acknowledged that her game can go wrong sometimes, but she believes the response to the difficult moments is the most important element to get right.

"I can't control how I play. Today I couldn't control my serve. But that's the thing, for me, I try to tell myself literally the first point, I knew it was going to be a tough match, I was just, Just accept the good with the bad."

"I probably double-faulted the most I did in a while. That's accepting the good with the bad, just keep persevering. So that's what I'm going to do in US Open."