"She's only 18, let her have some fun" - Davenport defends Gauff after shocking WTA Finals performances
WTA
Coco Gauff experienced probably the worst tournament of her life at the 2022 WTA Finals. However, according to Lindsay Davenport, it won't matter in the grand scheme of things.
Gauff was certainly excited to play in front of her home fans in Fort Worth, Texas. However, her stay in Fort Worth has been anything but successful, as she lost all of the matches she played.
The teenager, along with Jessica Pegula, lost all of their doubles matches, and both of the players also lost their first two singles matches. Pegula also lost the third one, while Gauff still has one match left to play.
That match can't change the outcome of the round-robin stage anymore, as Gauff will be eliminated regardless of the result. It has certainly been a disappointing week for Gauff, but the 18-year-old player still has plenty to learn, and this will teach her some important lessons, which she can then use later on in her tennis career.
Former WTA World No. 1 player Lindsay Davenport spoke about Gauff during her recent appearance on the Tennis Channel. Davenport felt like Gauff was exhausted in Fort Worth, which might have contributed to her results.
"It's the first season that Coco Gauff's not under the age of eligibility. She's played over 20 tournaments, she's looked exhausted. She's kind of looked the same and Guadalajara, and I think for a player that was such a great junior, it's been so fun to get to the top."
At the same time, Davenport was also aware of the mental aspect of Gauff's WTA Finals struggles. Tennis players usually don't lose five matches in one week, which was certainly challenging for the 18-year-old.
"But also, you're normally, you don't take five losses in a row. Yeah, two in Guadalajara with the singles and the doubles. And then you start here with losing two doubles and the other singles, I think it's a lot for her."
"I actually hope maybe her season is done tonight. She goes back, she's only 18. Let her have some fun, and we want to see her playing with a smile."
Gauff will want to forget her 2022 WTA Finals participation and return to the tennis courts stronger in 2023. She proved her talent multiple times, and one tournament definitely won't define her.
