Coco Gauff: “Now I believe more in myself”

Coco Gauff is ready to amaze at the US Open 2023. The 19-year-old from Delray Beach won the WTA 500 in Washington by beating Maria Sakkari in the final and then conquered her first WTA 1000 by eliminating, among others, the world number one Iga Swiatek, in the semifinal of the Western & Southern Open.

Despite her young age, Gauff has already shown that she can aspire to winning the most important tournaments on the WTA Tour, and at the US Open she could end her season on US hard courts in the best possible way.

Coco Gauff: “Now I believe more in myself”

In the press conference on the eve of the US Open, the young American tennis star explained: “August was a fantastic month for me. Obviously I did well in Washington and then also in Montreal. I won my first 1000 in Cincinnati. It’s been a great few weeks for me. I’m really excited. I think only of self-confidence. I think I have confidence in the work I did in training.

I hope I can continue to use it in matches. I have a new team and seeing things from a different perspective can change things completely. I think I have a different mentality.

The first round defeat at Wimbledon wasn’t all that painful. I feel that no matter the outcome of the match, I may be able to solve problems and find a way out. I know that now I can win matches even if I don’t play my best tennis.”

Finally, Gauff focused on the difference in the montrepremiums that often characterize the men’s and women’s circuits: “There are many inequalities, especially in the WTA 250, 500 and 1000 tournaments. They came up with a new plan to improve the situation. There are certainly improvements to be made, but I’m proud of where we are now, considering what happens at the Grand Slams.”

Gauff will take on Germany’s Laura Siegemund and will open the Day 1 evening session at Arthur Ashe Stadium.