French Open: Coco Gauff Believes She’s Ready For First Grand Slam Singles Final | Tennis News
The 18-year-old will face world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in her first Grand Slam singles final on Saturday; Coco Gauff is the youngest player to reach the final in Paris since Kim Clijsters in 2001; Swiatek reached the final with 34 wins
Last Updated: 03/06/22 5:04 pm
Coco Gauff is the youngest player to reach the final in Paris since Kim Clijsters in 2001
Coco Gauff believes she is now ready for the challenge of competing in a Grand Slam singles final and facing world No. 1 Iga Swiatek.
Gauff and Swiatek will meet on Saturday afternoon on Court Philippe-Chatrier to claim the 2022 French Open women’s title.
The 18-year-old has yet to drop a set at this year’s French Open and is the youngest player to reach a Roland Garros final since Kim Clijsters in 2001.
Having burst at the age of 15 at Wimbledon three years ago, when she beat Venus Williams on her way to the fourth round, Gauff believes she is ready to win a major title and insists it won’t change her. that.
“I think that version [of me] was ready to win a Slam competition, but I think she almost wanted it too much, to the point where she put so much pressure on herself,” Gauff said of herself as a youngster. .
“Now, I’m definitely ready to get a win, but I don’t put any pressure on myself to win one. I think there’s a fine line between believing in yourself and almost pushing yourself. exceed.
“Honestly, if I lifted the trophy, I don’t think my life would change really.
“I mean, I know that sounds a bit bad to say, but the people who love me will still love me regardless of whether I lift the trophy or not.”
The 18-year-old American also believes she was destined to meet Swiatek in the French Open final – though perhaps not too early in her career.
The pair knew each other through their time in the junior divisions, and nearly met in the girls’ Roland Garros final four years ago.
Gauff, who won that title, explained: “I was actually preparing to play her in the final, and then she had a point against my familiar doubles partner, Caty McNally.
“Caty saved a point in the match against her and I ended up going up against Caty in the final.
“I’m really happy to play her especially because I’ve always wanted to play her in a final. I know it’s going to happen eventually, even in juniors, just from the way both games are. Our play is expected. I don’t think it’s going to happen very soon.”
I think I have nothing to lose and she is definitely the most favorite to go into the paper match. I’ll play for free and play my best tennis. I think in a Grand Slam final, anything is possible.
Coco Gauff
Roadmap to the French Open final
| Coco Gauff | Iga Swiatek | |
|---|---|---|
| First round | Rebecca Marino 7-5 6-0 | Lesia Tsurenko 6-2 6-0 |
| Second half | Alison Van Uytvanck 6-1 7-6 (7-4) | Risk Alison 6-0 6-2 |
| Round three | Kaia Kanepi 6-3 6-4 | Danka Kovinic 6-3 7-5 |
| Fourth round | Elise Mertens 6-4 6-0 | Qinwen Zheng 6-7 (5-7) 6-0 6-2 |
| Quarterfinals | Sloane Stephens 7-5 6-2 | Jessica Pegula 6-3 6-2 |
| Semifinal | Martina Trevisan 6-3 6-1 | Daria Kasatkina 6-2 6-1 |
The challenge Swiatek poses for Gauff is a huge one, as the 20-year-old is currently on a 34-match winning streak and knows what it feels like to win a French Open final, after winning the title in 2020. .
Swiatek, like Gauff, has focused on her progress throughout the tournament and staying in her own bubble.
Swiatek has won 54 of her past 56 sets and if she beat Gauff in the final that would equal Venus Williams’ 21st-century record of 35 consecutive wins, set in 2000.
Iga Swiatek has an 8-1 record in finals and hasn’t lost a set in a Championship match in over three years.
The 21-year-old is very open about the importance of the spiritual side of tennis and she works extremely closely with sports psychologist Daria Abramowicz.
“I’m just trying to treat these matches like any other, because it’s stressful and I accept that,” said the world No. “I want to continue doing the same job.
“I also know that sometimes my opponents are stressed, so I’m trying to realize that and not panic about my own stress.”
“[I’m] Treat it like any other game and remember why I came here and what my strengths are really helped me. I think it’s all down to the mindset and preparation I had before the game. “
Swiatek holds a 2-0 record against Gauff and hasn’t lost a set to the American teenager. However, Gauff is someone who can go up against her athletically and has a strong game at her disposal.
“She won’t give you much,” Gauff said of the world No. 1 “Watching her play, I think she did a great job in changing directions and hitting corners off the court. She was always hitting people. win.
“I think when I go into the game, I will try to be aggressive at the right time and be patient at the right time.”
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