Tennis fans have witnessed the best of Coco Gauff since her unforeseen first-round exit from Wimbledon. Since then, the teenage sensation has gone on to win the Cincinnati Open, the US Open and the semi-finals of the China Open.
Her spectacular run these past few months, as vindicated by her win record in the last 20 matches, has seen her rise to No. 3 on the WTA rankings. Throughout her impressive run, Coco has had to face scheduling conflicts and exasperating weather conditions. In a recent victory over a Wimbledon champion, Coco Gauff shared her opinion on the unconducive conditions for play.
Coco Gauff talks on playing tennis under horrific weather conditions
Coco Gauff has had a sedate presence at major WTA tournaments as compared to her fellow tennis players. She is currently competing in the WTA Finals, only her second tournament after her US Open win. In the year-ending tournament in Cancun, Mexico, Coco Gauff had to play her group stage match under severe weather conditions and the 19-year-old was far from impressed.
A stop-start beginning to her match left Coco frustrated. Once the rain gods ceased to intervene, the following breeze didn’t offer much respite either. The tennis balls flew off the racquets of both opponents as they scrambled to ensure that their shots were in play.
In her post-match interview, Coco was especially dejected with the playing conditions and stated that there was a lot of mental toughness and praying involved in hoping that the match went as per plan.
Coco Gauff gives her tips for playing tennis in nightmare conditions:
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 4, 2023
"Try not to get too frustrated, move your feet and pray that it goes in." đ pic.twitter.com/e6H4yGdu2f
Gauff succeeded in defeating her grand slam champion opponent in a hard-fought thriller that turned out to be a late-night spectacle. Her win added another victory to her growing elite tennis career and Coco was left chuffed with her triumph.
Coco Gauff beats Marketa Vondrousova
Marketa Vondrousova, Coco’s opponent, was herself having a season of her life, having won the Wimbledon title in July. The matchup indicated an intense battle between two young talents who would not relent to any aggression from each other.
In a match that lasted close to two hours, Coco Gauff had to come back from a set down to rally back and win the marathon match 5-7, 7-6(4), 6-3.
Coco Gauff d. Marketa Vondrousova 5-7 7-6 6-3
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 4, 2023
Coco was 3 points away from losing this match, but sheâs still alive at the WTA Finals.
Her fighting qualities have grown so much over the last few months.
â Won 18 of last 20 matches
Sheâs showing it all this week. đşđ¸â¤ď¸ pic.twitter.com/XZCPtKHYhW
The match began with Marketa racing to an early lead through a breakpoint win, and even though Coco Gauff rallied back from a 0-3 scoreline to level it at 5-5, Marketa closed out the first set with a service game.
Coco Gauff showed no signs of nerves as she raced to a lead in the second set and maintained her momentum to seal it in the tiebreaker. The final set saw Coco win crucial break points at important junctures and emerge victorious in three grueling sets.
Coco Gauff will next play compatriot and No. 5 seed Jessica Pegula in the semi-final. Pegula had defeated Maria Sakkari in straight sets in the earlier round.
What are your opinions on the bad weather conditions at major tournaments? Should players compete in indoor stadiums to avoid stoppages? Let us know in the comments section below.
