Coco Gauff’s season on the tennis court has been quite lackluster so far. The young 20-year-old American started off 2024 on a high note, winning in Auckland in the first week of the year. However, since then, her performance has been subpar, resulting in a drop to 6th place in the ranking. With the China Open looming ahead, Gauff sees this tournament as a crucial opportunity to recapture the magic she felt during her incredible summer in 2023, which culminated in a triumph at the US Open.
In an interview with WTA, Gauff expressed her eagerness to utilize the tournament to implement the adjustments she has been working on with her new coach, Matt Daly. “I’m very excited. I think it’s going to be the same next year. I’m really excited about a new change and hopefully improving other parts of my game. Working with Brad has been great, we’ve had a great partnership. I think it was time to reset and add some things to my game that I felt I needed to do to have a better season next year,” she shared. Gauff also mentioned her focus on improving her serve, emphasizing its importance in her overall game strategy.
Despite her recent struggles, Gauff’s spot in the end-of-year WTA Finals seems secure. When asked about the Finals, she stated, “I’ve never felt pressure to get to the WTA Finals, except the first year when I was trying to do it. This year it would be great to qualify and experience the Finals, but I’m also trying not to put too much pressure on myself because this is a new training structure and I’m adding things.” Gauff highlighted that she is not overly fixated on the outcome but rather focused on the improvements she is making in her game.
Looking ahead to her upcoming Asian swing, starting with the China Open in Beijing, Gauff shared her excitement about exploring more of the region. “This time I did more things. Last year I was very tired and did nothing. This time I adapted much more quickly and visited the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, which was fantastic. I was able to spend two weeks at home, so I feel reinvigorated and I hope to end the season on a high note,” she remarked.
Despite the ups and downs of the season, Coco Gauff remains determined to showcase her best tennis on the courts, with the China Open serving as a pivotal juncture in her journey towards success.