Coco Gauff has opened up about still being in the growth phase of her career, highlighting the age gap between herself and most of WTA’s top 10 stars, barring Iga Swiatek. The American made the remarks after clinching her second WTA 1000 title at the 2024 China Open
After her title defense at the US Open came to a disappointing end in the fourth round, Gauff decided to part ways with her coach Brad Gilbert. After embarking on a new chapter with coach Matt Daly, the American chose to forgo their original plan of skipping the China Open in favor of a training block, expressing her desire to simply “have fun” competing in Beijing.The decision paid off, as Coco Gauff delivered a stellar campaign at the WTA 1000 event, beating the likes of Katie Boulter and Paula Badosa to set up a blockbuster title clash against Karolina Muchova.
The 20-year-old claimed a dominant 6-1, 6-3 win over Muchova in the final, clinching her second title of the season and rising to World No. 4 in the rankings. However, the American has expressed her intention not to rest on her laurels, maintaining her focus on future growth.Speaking to WTA Insider after her China Open triumph, Coco Gauff emphasized that she was still in the “developmental phase” of her career. She pointed out that, aside from Iga Swiatek, the majority of the current top 10 stars, like Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula, Elena Rybakina and Danielle Collins, were all aged 25 or older.
Coco Gauff, the rising star of American tennis, has shared her reflections on still being in the “developmental phase” of her career, despite her rapid rise through the ranks of the WTA. Gauff, just 20 years old, made these remarks after securing her second WTA 1000 title at the 2024 China Open, a significant achievement in what has already been an eventful season.
Her journey through the China Open was remarkable, featuring wins against tough opponents like Katie Boulter and Paula Badosa, before a final showdown with Karolina Muchova. Gauff dominated the match, winning 6-1, 6-3, to take home the title. This victory marked her second title of the season and propelled her to a career-high World No. 4 in the WTA rankings. However, rather than dwelling on her success, Gauff remains focused on growth and improvement.
In a conversation with WTA Insider after her China Open win, Gauff highlighted the age difference between herself and many of the top 10 players in the WTA rankings. With the exception of Iga Swiatek, the top-ranked players like Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula, Elena Rybakina, and Danielle Collins are all 25 years old or older. Gauff’s perspective underscores her awareness of being at a different stage in her development compared to these players, acknowledging that she still has room to grow both physically and mentally.
This recent victory follows Gauff’s disappointing exit in the fourth round of the 2024 US Open, where she failed to defend her title. That defeat prompted a significant change in her team, leading to her decision to part ways with coach Brad Gilbert, a figure who played a key role in her success earlier in the season, particularly during her US Open win in 2023. Gauff has since teamed up with coach Matt Daly, marking a new chapter in her career.
The decision to participate in the China Open, however, wasn’t part of the original plan. After her US Open exit, Gauff and her team had initially considered skipping the tournament in favor of a focused training block to work on her game. But Gauff, looking to embrace a lighter, more relaxed approach, chose to compete in Beijing instead, saying she wanted to “have fun” on the court. This change in mindset clearly worked in her favor, allowing her to play more freely and perform at her best throughout the tournament.
Gauff’s maturity and focus on long-term improvement are evident in her approach to the game. She recognizes that despite her recent successes, she is still evolving. Her decision to embrace competition rather than focus solely on training shows her confidence in the learning process that comes with match play, while also balancing the pressure of being one of the most-watched young athletes in the sport.
Looking ahead, Gauff’s future seems even brighter. Her rapid ascent up the rankings, coupled with her youthful energy and hunger to improve, suggests she could become one of the dominant forces in women’s tennis for years to come. Gauff’s ability to adapt and learn from her experiences, as seen in her recent coaching change and strategic tournament decisions, points to a player with the potential to not just win titles, but to maintain a high level of consistency at the top of the sport.
In conclusion, Coco Gauff’s China Open victory is a testament to her talent, determination, and maturity. At just 20 years old, she is already competing with and beating the best in the world, yet she remains focused on growth and improvement. As she continues to evolve, both in her playing style and her mental approach to the game, there’s no doubt that Gauff is poised to leave an even greater mark on the world of tennis in the years to come. Her story is still being written, but if her recent performances are any indication, the best is yet to come.