Coco Gauff returns to Roland Garros as the defending champion for the first time. She faces unique pressures that could impact her performance in the tournament.
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Later this month, Coco Gauff returns to Roland Garros with a new title under her belt, stepping into the role of defending champion for the first time.
With that comes unique pressures, and it will be intriguing to see how the American deals with them.
She has one of the most watched faces in tennis regardless of form, and this extra weight could either lift her game further or slow her down.
Following her opening-round win at the Italian Open, Gauffâs comments suggested she is already working to manage that pressure before it becomes an issue.
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Speaking about what it means to go back as the defending champion, and how it compares to her return to New York in 2024, Gauff said sheâs no longer putting extra pressure on herself. Itâs one thing she feels she can control.
The world number four said: âYeah, I think more so internally. I guess the stakes are technically the same. I donât know, I realise that the defending means nothing in a way. Like, each year is a new opportunity and new chance for anyone to win. Obviously, I hope itâs me.
âI donât really look at it as defending anymore. I guess at the US Open I was like, I need to defend, defend. When youâre playing a tournament that you didnât win, what is it called?
âYeah, thatâs why I just say like now itâs just another tournament. I won it last year. Iâll try again to do it this year. Iâm not going to be able to defend every year. Iâm not Rafa (Nadal). Maybe one day.â
Coco Gauff faces unique pressures associated with being the defending champion, which could either enhance her performance or hinder it.
Coco Gauff has revealed a new mindset as she prepares to defend her title at the French Open, aiming to manage the pressures of her role.
Coco Gauff is currently one of the most watched players in tennis, stepping into the French Open as the defending champion.
Coco Gauff is set to compete in the French Open later this month.
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Asked about how she feels about defending such a prestigious title, and how it differs from when she returned to New York in 2024 to defend that title, Gauff admitted that she is no longer piling the pressure on herself. That, at the very least, is what she can control.
The world number four admitted: âYeah, I think more so internally. I guess the stakes are technically the same. I donât know, I realise that the defending means nothing in a way. Like, each year is a new opportunity and new chance for anyone to win. Obviously, I hope itâs me.
âI donât really look at it as defending anymore. I guess at the US Open I was like, I need to defend, defend. When youâre playing a tournament that you didnât win, what is it called?
âYeah, thatâs why I just say like now itâs just another tournament. I won it last year. Iâll try again to do it this year. Iâm not going to be able to defend every year. Iâm not Rafa. Maybe one day (laughter).â
This was a far more upbeat conversation than the one she had earlier in the week when Gauff backed players considering a boycott of Grand Slams over pay disputes.
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