Coco Gauff will continue her 2024 season at the Canadian Open in Toronto, and ahead of the event, she talked about expectations and her thoughts on the Paris Olympics.
The 20-year-old American had an eventful time in the French capital because she signed up to play in three separate competitions. Not only did she play in singles but also in doubles and mixed doubles, and overall, while it was eventful, it wasn't fruitful.
Gauff left the French capital without winning a single medal. She arrived in Paris as the second favorite behind Iga Swiatek in singles, and many expected her to win at least one medal.
Some expected her to win at least two medals, but ultimately, she left the French capital without any. Despite that, the American holds the experience was positive overall.
Getting to play at the Olympics was a dream come true, and she learned a lot from it. Failing in the way she did is certainly a huge lesson for her. She also got the chance to carry the American flag during the opening ceremony, which she also saw as an incredible experience.
"I think I'm just trying to learn from this experience and overall it was positive. I would a hundred percent choose to do it again, even if I lost first round in everything. It was something that was incredible."
"Being flag bearer was something I wouldn't have expected, and meeting all the incredible people that I met, I don't take it lightly. And every Olympics that I qualify in, I'll for sure play unless I'm injured."
Playing at the Olympics is a choice she has made easily, even though it's not that simple for some. Some might argue that it can be detrimental to her season and career, but Gauff would have never missed the Olympic Games.
Even with the long week in Paris, she still rushed back to North America so that she could play at the Canadian Open. Obviously, she doesn't have any major expectations because her schedule is a bit rushed, and she has some lingering fatigue from the journey and just playing lots of tennis in Paris.
Her goal is simply to play and see where she stands to better understand what needs to happen for her to succeed at the US Open.
"I am not going into this expecting to win or anything. Obviously it'll be great. That's a goal, but we'll be realistic. I think overall, I'm just trying to use this [event] as just to see where I'm at and what I need to do to get ready for U.S. Open."
The upcoming weeks are going to be tricky for Gauff because she will be defending a lot of points. She first has the Cincinnati Open, where she won last year's trophy. She then also has the US Open title to defend.
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