NEW YORK — This was no simple task for anyone, and it certainly wasn’t straightforward for Coco Gauff. She understands the expectations that surround her. She possesses her own standards as well, naturally.
Exiting in the second round of the US Open on Thursday night was simply unacceptable. Moreover, losing with a string of double faults would be the ultimate disappointment. So, when she double-faulted twice in a row, allowing Donna Vekic to break her and gain an early advantage in the opening set at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Gauff felt the weight of it all and couldn’t conceal her emotions.
The tears flowed relentlessly. She shielded her face with a towel on the sidelines. When she returned to the court after the changeover, Gauff repeatedly wiped her eyes between points, striving to concentrate and seek a path to victory. After overcoming her struggles, correcting her serving issues in the second set, and defeating Vekic 7-6 (5), 6-2, Gauff shed more tears.
Aryna Sabalenka’s serve, shortly before this US Open.
MacMillan modified Gauff’s serving technique, and she has practiced so extensively over the past week that her shoulder is now sore.
«The primary challenge is simply altering the motion and reinventing everything before such a crucial tournament for me,» Gauff remarked. «This tournament generally induces significant nerves for me, and with all of this added pressure, it’s overwhelming.»
In the first round, she required three sets to overcome Ajla Tomljanovic, partly due to double faults.
Yet, similar to that previous match, Gauff’s defense and dominance at the baseline propelled her past Vekic.
What brought forth her emotional state on Thursday?
«It was purely nerves and pressure, honestly, and I’m usually someone who can thrive under such conditions. There’s been a lot weighing on me this tournament, more than I anticipated, which I was prepared for,» Gauff clarified. «Essentially, what you witnessed out there was genuine, and I managed to reset through it. However, it was a tough moment for me on the court. These past weeks have been challenging both on and off the court, but I’m just relieved to have made it through today.»
Magdalena Frech, who rallied to knock out American Peyton Stearns 6-7 (6), 6-3, 6-2 to advance to the third round.
American Amanda Anisimova, the No. 8 seed, progressed with a 7-6 (2), 6-2 win over Maya Joint.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
