Coco Gauff said that she was attempting to find a balance between happiness on making it to the US Open quarterfinals for the first time and sadness with Tuesday’s performance loss to Caroline Garcia.
American tennis fans had high hopes for French Open finalist Gauff going into the year’s last Grand Slam, hoping the talented youngster would succeed Serena Williams, who is retiring.
Gauff told reporters, “Overall, I’m very happy of myself at this event.
“However, I want more. So maybe next year.
Gauff said that she had been a little reluctant entering the competition after hurting her left ankle and quitting a tune-up match in Cincinnati last month after losing 6-3, 6-4 to Frenchwoman Garcia.
“I’m simply pleased with myself for making it through this week. I didn’t tell anybody, but I didn’t believe it was going to be that wonderful of a tournament for me after everything that occurred in Cincinnati,” she said.
“I actually gave myself psychological proof that I can go through these difficult conditions and succeed.
There is plenty to be pleased about, including reaching the US Open’s first quarterfinal. But like I stated, I am undoubtedly disappointed. I believe it motivates me to work harder. I think I understand what has to be done.
After reaching the quarterfinals in New York, Gauff, who will make her debut in the top 10, expressed her desire that she may serve as an inspiration for the subsequent generation of Black athletes, much as Serena and Venus Williams had done for her.
She said that the Williams sisters “certainly influenced me to pursue tennis” since she “saw someone like me competing in a sport with not a lot of people looking like me.”
I wish I could be that for other children.