Coco Gauff has clear goals for the clay season, which helps her focus, but she won't define her season simply by one event or one swing.
The American hit a new level last year when she won her maiden Grand Slam trophy on top of winning trophies in the weeks leading up to it. It was a pretty big moment for her that taught her a couple of lessons, which she shared during her most recent interview at the 2024 Madrid Open.
Speaking to the Tennis Channel after winning her first match in the Spanish capital 6-0 6-0, Gauff explained that having clear goals really helps her focus because they are goals that can be pursued instead of just having no goals and playing for the sake of playing. That doesn't create a laser-focused mindset.
"It definitely has been really helpful for me. I just give you a clear goal to reach."
Despite having a clear goal, Gauff will not be consumed by it. Goals are there to drive her forward, but if she doesn't reach them, it's not the end of the world because one event doesn't really define her season. Even if she has a poor swing, it doesn't really matter much.
"You know it's one of those things, if you don't reach it, it's not the end all be all. Last season taught me that one tournament won't define your season or one swing won't define your season so I'm just trying to take it match by match."
Last year, she didn't do well during the grass season and still turned it around spectacularly for the US Open swing. Also thanks to that, she seems to have grown up last year and is approaching this year with newfound wisdom.
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