Coco Gauff opened up about what her dad told her straight after conceding a crushing defeat to world No. 2 Elena Rybakina in the U.S. Open semifinal.
Gauff has a supportive team that guides her through such setbacks, which is reflective of the words her dad gave her.
Gauff revealed the valuable advice her father gave in a postgame press conference on Thursday, September 10.
While highlighting her current summer form and this new level of consistency, Gauff admitted, “I mean, right now it sucks. 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,” she continued.
“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,” Gauff reflected in losing the semifinal against Rybakina.
“It’s a learning experience, and I hope to keep putting myself in positions to hopefully win,” the determined Gauff said.
After Rybakina defeated Coco Gauff in the U.S. Open semifinal, she faces Aryna Sabalenka in a showdown match on Saturday, September 12, at the Flushing Meadows.
2026-09-11 15:08:00
