Coco Gauff has revealed how she dismissed an attempt by her father to lift her spirits immediately after her painful US Open semi-final defeat against Elena Rybakina.
The American saw her hopes of claiming another title at Flushing Meadows ended by the new world No 1 following a gripping contest decided by the finest of margins.
Gauff entered the tournament in excellent form after winning the Cincinnati Open for a second time and had produced some of her most consistent tennis throughout the summer.
Her father, Corey, reminded her of those achievements shortly after the defeat.
Read Also: Urgent probe launched after Southport attack victims' files accessed in major data breach
Yet an emotional Gauff admitted she was not ready to take comfort from the bigger picture.
“I mean, right now it sucks,” she said after losing 6-3, 4-6, 4-6.
“My Dad came up and said, ‘You have accomplished so many things this summer,’ and I just said, ‘I don’t care about the summer’. Right now that is where my head is at.
“But it is the goal. I want to be a consistent player, and I want to give myself as many opportunities as I can to lift the trophy.
“But it hurts. It’s all great, but I think the competitor in me is like, this is the tournament that I want to perform at.
“I did perform, but it’s the tournament you want to come out with the win.
“It’s a learning experience, and I hope to keep putting myself in positions to hopefully win.”
Gauff’s frustration reflected the standards she has set for herself after another encouraging campaign on the WTA Tour.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
- Lisandro Martinez aims cheeky dig at Jamie Carragher after Man Utd star receives apology
- Elena Rybakina reacts after US Open crowd empties following Coco Gauff victory
- Man Utd coach involved in angry clash with fan after Champions League win over Sabah
Reaching the last four of a Grand Slam would represent a significant achievement for most players, but the former US Open champion had arrived in New York determined to lift the trophy.
Although she was unable to overcome Rybakina, Gauff believes the manner of her performances provided further evidence that her game is heading in the right direction.
“I think I played almost every match on my terms,” she added.
“I think the worst match for me was maybe the quarter-final, where I maybe fell back into old habits.
“But in 24 hours I was able to switch that and I think that it’s confidence to continue to improve.
“I am looking at the other semi-finalists. They are older than me, by three or four years, and I’m just trying to think of how much work I have put in this year and how far I have come.
“Now I am just excited to keep putting in the work for another year or another two years, and see where I’m at at 24 or 25.
“I want to see where my game can take me and hopefully it can be on the winning end of matches like this.”
Rybakina also praised Gauff’s serve after the match, recognising the improvements the American has made during the past year.
The new world No 1 will face Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday’s final.
Our Standards:
The GB News Editorial Charter
