Coco Gauff’s Grand Slam profession began with an epic win over Venus Williams at Wimbledon. She was 15 on the time, and the longer term – on the slippery floor and in all places else – was vivid.
Seven years later, she’s a two-time Grand Slam champion and one of many greatest stars of our sport, however her fortunes on grass haven’t panned out as anticipated.
Gauff, who has not received a match on the floor since Wimbledon 2024, was requested about how she will get together with the floor.
“We don’t have the very best relationship,” she stated.
“I at all times have fond reminiscences on the grass. I clearly had a pair fourth rounds right here (in 2019, 2021 and 2024), and I undoubtedly suppose that I’ve the power to play on it. I feel it’s extra about confidence,” she stated.
Gauff, who enters because the No.7 seed and can face Tamara Korpatsch of Germany in first-round motion on Monday, hinted that she is healthier on grass than many within the media at present suppose.
She has a degree. She misplaced to Sofia Kenin within the first spherical in 2023. In 2022 it was Amanda Anisimova within the second spherical.
She made the fourth spherical in 2021 however bumped into former champion Angelique Kerber, and in 2024 it was red-hot Emma Navarro who took her out.
“I’m not going to lie, I haven’t had the very best attracts right here at Wimbledon,” she stated. “I feel that’s additionally been robust.”
Gauff is 21-13 lifetime on the floor, and she or he’s by no means reached a closing.
Grass is “one thing that I’m studying to play on. I don’t suppose it’s a pure floor for me, however we’re going to make it pure,” she stated.
How does the 22-year-old plan to realize extra grass synergy?
“Simply hold enjoying on it,” she stated. “Trial and error, simply studying.”
Gauff says she plans to be extra aggressive on function nicely, within the hope that she doesn’t must depend on her protection on the hardest floor to defend.
“I undoubtedly suppose I’ve been training to date the very best… since [starting my] Wimbledon [career]. Does that imply I’m going to play nice on Monday? I don’t know, I hope so. I feel simply actually specializing in the footwork, the sport model, and actually looking for my grass id.”
