AUCKLAND: Global range 3 Coco Gauff stated Sunday she felt more at ease heading into the subsequent month’s Australian Open after reaching her intention of triumphing a Grand Slam title as a teenager.
The 19-12 months-vintage won the united states Open in September and said it became a weight off her shoulders as she embarks on her 2024 season on the Auckland classic starting Monday, in which she is defending champion.
“I felt like I had a clock and I had to win as a teen,” said Gauff, who turns 20 in March.
“Just for how I started out, with Wimbledon and everything, I felt like I just had to.
“Not with anyone’s expectancies from my group, however fanatics and people who watch the sport,” she instructed newshounds in Auckland.
Gauff burst directly to the scene as 15-12 months-vintage at Wimbledon in 2019 and was earmaked as a future Grand Slam champion after reaching the fourth spherical.
4 years later, she got here from a set down in to conquer Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 and grow to be the tournament’s first American teenage champion due to the fact Serena Williams in 1999.
“That feeling I felt on suit factor was a high and I want to keep to chase that high,” said Gauff.
With a primary Slam tucked below her belt, she said it would be a specific feeling on the Australian Open starting on January 14, which could otherwise have been the final threat to attain her teenage dream.
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“I’m constantly going to put strain on myself. I need to attempt for extra and that I do not want to handiest win one,” Gauff stated.
Gauff stated her 2023 campaign become described in her thoughts as much by means of her shock first-round loss to Sofia Kenin at Wimbledon as her US Open breakthrough.
“After Wimbledon I reached the bottom factor of my profession, losing that suit,” Gauff said.
“Getting to know from it helped me push forward and I think from time to time you want those setbacks to push you forward.
“Not to wake me up, because I felt like I constantly changed into awake, but recognize that perhaps you should placed less strain on each unmarried healthy.”
Gauff faces fellow American Claire Liu in her commencing in shape in Auckland on Tuesday.
