“I’ve been here awhile. I feel like I’ve played most of the tournaments…But yeah, I feel on the game and inexperience-wise, I’m still on the younger end compared to some other playrs,” says Coco Gauff, no. 6 in the world at the ripe age of 19. She’s accomplished so much in her young years on a highly competitive tour but lately she’s up against obstacles that are making her re-think and analyze her strategies and tactics for winning and feeling successful.
Gauff entered the Porsche Stuttgart tournament hoping for better results than last year. She had bowed in the opening round in 2022 to Daria Kasatkna in straight sets. Coco was a bit disappointed despite knowing that her opponent was much more experienced than herself. This year Gauff was defeated by Anastasia Potapova in the second round at Stuttgart, an opponent who defeated her also in the Miami Open’s 2nd round.
The 19-year-old is the young one on the tour but realizes youth is not always on your side. Experience can be the leader in capturing championships and that is the most stressful thing to acquire in each season. She faced the WTA’s gritty player Aryna Sabalenka at the Indian Wells quarterfinals and was defeated even with a bagel in the last set. But yet she’s came out smilng in her defeat of veterans such as Petra Kvitova and Tatjana Maria.
Gauff has did exceptionally well for her years and time on tour but things are looking quite different as the season goes along. Coco has been put through an adversity by her coach of a year, Diego Moyano ending their relationship for personal reasons. “After a fantastic year where we achieved many great things I have to stop working with Coco due to my personal reasons…want to thank as well the team that worked hard with me…” Diego had said to the media.
Coco has now got to re-group, maintain good strategies in doubles as she had in winning the title with Jessica Pegula in Miami. It’s her singles game that will need the biggest consideration with improving to get deep into tournaments and stay strong physically and mentally. She’s did it previously with hanging tough and coming up the winner in three set battles but Gauff has to prove her craftiness and skill when it comes to highly competitive opponents whose track record is bigger and better than her own.