Disappointing Exit at the US Open
In a disappointing turn of events at the US Open, Coco Gauff, the No. 3 seed and a recent champion at Flushing Meadows, found herself on the losing end of a match against Naomi Osaka. The encounter marked Gauff’s second consecutive fourth-round exit at the tournament, with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-2, completed in just over an hour.
“I am not going to let this crush me.”
After the match, the 21-year-old expressed her resolve. Despite her recent success, including a Grand Slam title earlier this year, Gauff struggled significantly with her groundstrokes and overall performance, accumulating 33 unforced errors compared to Osaka’s 12.
“I just made way too many mistakes… which I felt like that’s the part of my game that I felt most confident in.”
She reflected on her unexpected struggle at this stage of the tournament. Gauff, originally known for her powerful serve, faced challenges in returning during this match. Although she registered three aces, she was broken four times and did not create any break points against Osaka, ranked No. 23. The match showcased a stark contrast to her confident play leading into the tournament.
Past Performance and Future Aspirations
Last year, Gauff had also exited in the fourth round, but the circumstances were even more difficult, as she committed 19 double faults during that match. The offseason saw her making changes, including parting ways with coach Brad Gilbert and bringing in biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan shortly before the US Open. Gauff admitted to dealing with tears and mental struggles during her recent matches but remains optimistic about her future development in the sport.
“It’s been a tough post-French Open for me, for sure.”
Gauff acknowledged the ups and downs of her season. This year alone, she reached the quarterfinals in Australia, triumphed in France, and faced an early exit at Wimbledon. Gauff is now focused on the role of patience and commitment in her growth as an athlete, recognizing the successes of other players in their mid-twenties.
As she looks to improve and evolve in her game, Gauff is driven by the prospect of making significant strides over the next few years.
“If I can make that same jump of improvement, it’s a lot to be excited about for the future.”
She remarked, showcasing her determination moving forward in her career.
