A new approach to defending the title
Coco Gauff arrives at Roland Garros with a different strategy. The American, who beat number one Aryna Sabalenka in the final a year ago, is now seeking her second consecutive title in Paris. But his mentality changed.
“I realize that ‘defend’ doesn’t mean anything, in a way,” Gauff said. “I don’t really see it as a defense anymore.”
Two years ago, at the US Open, Gauff lost in the fourth round after committing 19 double faults. That experience marked her. Now, in Rome, he explained: “At the US Open I was like: ‘I have to defend, defend’. When you play a tournament that you didn’t win, what is it called? That’s why now I say it’s just another tournament: ‘I won it last year. I’ll try again this year’. I’m not going to be able to defend every year. I’m not Rafa.”
Rafa, of course, is Rafael Nadal, owner of 14 titles in Paris.
Lessons from Rome
Gauff was runner-up at the Italian Open, a key clay tournament. Although she lost the final to Elina Svitolina, she brings out positive aspects.
“There are a lot of positive things I can take away from this tournament and a lot I can learn,” he said. “This week I experienced all the ups and downs of a tournament… I have been down, I have had the advantage, I have lost the advantage, I have been in a final, I have been down with match point against. I think I have experienced all the scenarios that can prepare me for Roland Garros.”
“Hopefully I can really learn from each scenario and do better,” he added.
One of the biggest improvements was his serve, which caused him problems for years. In two victories in Rome he only committed one double fault, although in the final there were seven. “I think it’s a real improvement,” he said after hitting 78% of first serves in the semifinals. “It’s the first time in my career that I feel like I’m really stable with that shot.”
“I’m throwing the ball a little more consistently. My weight is a little better. And also the confidence, the security in it is much better,” he explained. “Because my confidence is better, then I’m consistently throwing the ball in the right place, making my technique the same every serve no matter what my goal is. That’s the biggest difference.”
Gauff begins his defense at Roland Garros on Sunday, with a new mentality and a more reliable serve.
