Associated Press
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA — Coco Gauff admits that life tends to be a little rushed.
The 18-year-old Florida native doesn’t stay in town after a tennis tournament. “Even if it’s a good place” she said with a laugh. “I like to leave.” Once dinner is over, she’s not one to linger at the restaurant. “I don’t like to sit and talk after eating.” That’s what she said, making me laugh even more. “I like going.”
Yes, in general Gauff is ready to move on. To put her philosophy in a nutshell, why wait?
“Honestly, I’m pretty impatient. I wouldn’t say I’m impatient with people or things, but when it comes to getting things done, I want to do it sooner or later.” Gauff said in an interview with the Associated Press: I think it has something to do with my career. I didn’t realize it until this conversation. But now you want to succeed. ”
When the Australian Open kicks off the 2023 Grand Slam season on Monday morning (Sunday night), Gauff is scheduled to face Katerina Siniakova at Rod Laver Arena. With this win, Gauff could next face Emara Dukanu, who won the 2021 US Open in his teens.
If he makes it to the semifinals, No. 7 seed Gauff will face No. 1 Iga Sfiatec, who won the 2020 French Open as a teenager and has since won two more major titles. Maybe. It would be a rematch of last June’s French Open final, which Swirtek won.
Gauff isn’t the only young player making progress at the highest level.
But she is someone who has had to grow up and get used to the intense spotlight, making her Grand Slam debut in 2019 as the youngest qualifier in Wimbledon history, defeating Venus Williams en route. garnered even more attention. She reached the fourth round at the All England Club.
“I’ve definitely grown a lot since then. I was 15 and very new. I was very confident. I’m still very confident. Gauff said. “Everything happened so fast my head understood. I think. ”
According to her father, Corey, her biggest growth from then to now are: “Her Spiritual Maturity”
“Off the court, I think she’s really humble. I know everyone’s eyes were on her from an early age, so I’m happy about that. Swiertek said.
By growing as a player, and by finding her voice and speaking out on issues, whether it be gun violence in the United States, Gauff has certainly been successful in the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade. Whether it was something else that was important to her, it certainly was.
“She’s wise beyond her years. Clearly her parents should be very proud of this young woman they raised and deserve a lot of credit.” WTA CEO Steve Simon said:
On the court, Gauff knows he has work to do. Her forehand remains the shot her opponents tend to test.
As it stands, she’s already placed in the top 10 of the rankings in singles and No. 1 in doubles, qualifying for both events at the 2022 season-ending WTA Finals.
She reached her first Grand Slam final in Paris. She won her singles trophy for the third time in her career in Auckland, New Zealand last week.
and now?
“The Biggest Goal of the Year” Gauff laughed again. “It’s about winning a Grand Slam.”
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