‘Serena Williams Didn’t Let One Match Define Her Career’: Gauff After Australian Open Loss
by Zachary Wimer
coco Gauff was beaten in the 2024 Australian Open semi-final by Aryna Sabalenka, but she won’t allow one match to define her career.
Careers very rarely get defined by one match, even if the players are literally known for one thing.
Goran Ivanisevic won Wimbledon back in 2001 and is mostly known for that, but his career wasn’t defined by that event or that final.
He’s known for more outside of that, so generally, no matter what players do, their career won’t be defined by one match.
Gauff’s career certainly won’t be defined by her US Open triumph last year, as she’ll likely win more.
The defeat to Aryna Sabalenka won’t define her career either because she won’t let it define her career.
Growing up and watching players like Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams made her realize that you don’t let one math define her career.
They lost in the finals, and they lost in the semi-finals, but they got back to it, and that’s what she plans on doing as well. Get up and fight.
“You know, I watched these matches growing up and, like, watching Serena and watching Sharapova lose, like, these matches. It seems like when you’re in it, it feels like the end of the world. But then when you look at history, they didn’t let one match define their career.”
Gauff has plenty to be excited about in the coming months. She’s clearly established herself as one of the world’s best players, and clay season has always been pretty strong for her. The ambitions are high, so she’ll be gunning for more trophies.
“I’m not going to let this match — I’m going to dwell on it tonight, but as Brad told me as soon as the match was over, the sun is going to rise tomorrow and you have a new chance to live a good day.”
Gauff Sheds Light On Impact Of Not Playing Doubles At Australian Open
Coco Gauff didn’t play the doubles at this year’s Australian Open, and she talked about the impact on her campaign.
The American has generally played both singles and doubles at Grand Slams.
Initially, it was with good friend Caty McNally, but due to her not always having the ranking to play also singles competitions, she switched to playing with Jessica Pegula.
It was a fruitful campaign as they made a few deep runs, including a final at Roland Garros, but never really won the trophy.
She didn’t play doubles this year and made the event’s semi-final, where she lost to Aryna Sabalenka.
Some might say it was a good decision because she kept herself relatively free of fatigue while also being able to focus on the singles.
When it comes to Gauff, she won’t rule out playing doubles in the future, but it won’t be to the extent of the past. It won’t be at every event, but every now and then.
“I feel like in the future doubles won’t always be a thing at slams, like, every slam. I don’t want to completely shut it out, but it was a little different. It was weird having a lot of time. Jess wasn’t feeling that great, but it was a weird dynamic, for sure, not playing one match.”
Gauff had to get used to it because she had so much free time compared to before, but she will get used to it as she skips more of the doubles in the future. It’s no problem for her; it’s more of an observation.
“I remember, like, my first round, I think I just wanted to work on returns and then when we didn’t play doubles, I was, like, well, I guess I have to go to the practice. It was weird just having so much time on the off days.”
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