Superstar makes ‘honest’ call ahead of Aussie summer

by Admin
December 19, 2024

Coco Gauff admits she finally feels like she is approaching her best tennis, despite already having a US Open victory under her belt.

Now, the 20-year-old will turn her focus to Perth as she utilises the United Cup to prepare for the Australian Open next month.

Making her United Cup debut, she will headline a top-seeded USA team, alongside men’s world number three, Taylor Fritz.

READ MORE: ‘Thank you, Checo’: F1’s worst-kept secret finally confirmed

READ MORE: Classy gesture revealed after ‘surprise’ Ashwin retirement

READ MORE: ‘He’s not a dad’: Gold medallist takes swipe at famous father

She’s ready to use her time in Perth to build confidence for January’s tournament in Melbourne, one she hopes to win and even though she’s just come off a positive WTA finals campaign, she’s searching for more.

Coco Gauff of the United States reacts against Emma Navarro of the United States during their Women’s Singles Fourth Round match on Day Seven of the 2024 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 01, 2024 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) Getty

“I’ve always said the US Open, even though it’s my biggest win in my career, I don’t feel like I was playing my best tennis,” Gauff told 9News Perth on Wednesday.

“The WTA finals, I felt like there was times I was playing my best tennis, maybe not all throughout the tournament.”

Watch the United Cup live and free on 9Now!

The young superstar now believes her best is yet to come, as she attempts to time her run perfectly, but is wary applying too much pressure ahead of the Australian Open.

“I’m getting closer and closer to feeling I’m playing my best tennis throughout the whole week,” she said.

Coco Gauff reacts during her fourth-round loss to Emma Navarro. Robert Prange via Getty Images

“Honestly, in any slam, there’s alwaysone match that I feel like you don’t play as well, but definitely having that experience over the end of the year gives me a lot of confidence.

“Doing everything I can to prepare myself and doing everything I can in the moment to win, but maybe not putting so much weight on wins and losses, which is something I’ve done in the past.

“I always play my best tennis when I least expect to win a tournament; WTA Finals, I definitely wouldn’t have expected that and then same with the US Open win.”

The United Cup is poised to be held in Perth and Sydney from Friday 27 Decemberv until Sunday 5 January.