By Amy Tennery
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Coco Gauff will begin her Australian Open campaign on a high next week, after riding a roller-coaster 2024 to claim her maiden WTA Finals title and deliver the United Cup to the Americans in pristine form.
It has been a remarkable turnaround for the 20-year-old, who only a few months ago appeared to be in a tailspin. She exited early from Toronto and Cincinnati and her New York title defence ended in the fourth round with a staggering 19 double faults.
But she flipped the script only weeks later, parting ways with coach Brad Gilbert before beating U.S. Open semi-finalist Karolina Muchova to win the China Open in October, as she told reporters she had changed her mindset.
“I’m realizing more and more each day that tennis is not a measure of my value as a person. I think the more you realize that, the more relaxed these tournaments become,” said Gauff.
“I’m still going to experience pressure. It’s easier said than done.”
That cool calm was on display at November’s WTA Finals, where she overcame her key antagonist Iga Swiatek – with the Pole having triumphed in all but one of their 12 prior meetings – and the world number one Aryna Sabalenka en route to the final.
She kept her nerve to come back from a set down against the Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen and offered a cheeky message on social media after hoisting the trophy: “Safe to say I beat the bad season allegations.”
Gauff showed no sign of letting off the gas in the New Year, as she skipped Auckland – a tournament she won twice before – to kick off her season at the United Cup, reasoning that the team event offered a higher level of competition.
She got just that, as she faced Swiatek again in a highly anticipated final showdown on Sunday and rose to the occasion, winning in straight sets. She told reporters in Sydney that it was one of the best performances of her career.
“Obviously this start of the season gives me a lot of confidence,” said Gauff. “I feel like when I’m playing confident tennis, I’m playing great tennis. I definitely feel confident going into AO.”
With eight of her nine career singles titles coming on the hard court and momentum on her side, her U.S. fans will expect nothing but her best in Melbourne Park after she reached the semi-final stage a year ago.
The Australian Open main draw begins on Sunday, Jan. 12.
(Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
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