“I Just Need Experience”: Coco Gauff on Her Early Exit From US Open 2020

The teenage tennis phenom, Coco Gauff, has already proved what she can do on the big stage. A stellar 2019 season and start of 2020 season where she beat Venus Williams and Naomi Osaka set her up really well for the rest of the season. However, she was undone in the first round of the US Open 2020 on Monday.

Gauff lost in a tough three-setter to the 31st seed Anastasija Sevastova 6-3, 5-7, 6-4. The lack of match experience induced by the long break after a good start to the season is what halted her progress or that’s what the youngster believes.

“The main part that hurt was just getting matches under my belt, getting experience,” Gauff said after her match.

Coco Gauff highlights what she needs in her career

She said that the key factor at this stage of her career is nothing other than ‘experience’. “That’s what I need on tour. I’m playing against people older than me who have been in more situations, difficult situations than I have. I think the biggest thing is I just need experience,” Gauff expressed.

Like many other players on the tour, Gauff was out for six months after the Coronavirus pandemic sent the season into a break. Prior to that, she had an impressive start to the year where she beat Venus Williams and Naomi Osaka en route to the Round of 16 at the Australian Open. Little did she know that it would be her last tour-level event for a long time.

Long break snatched Gauff’s momentum

Since returning, Gauff started strong with a semi-final appearance at the Top Seed Open in Lexington. But her run in New York ended early in both events. She lost 6-1, 6-3 to Maria Sakkari in the first round of the Western and Southern Open. The defeat at the US Open added to that.

The rustiness and inexperience that Gauff talked about were visible in her game on Monday. She struggled behind her serve and made a lot of unforced errors in the match. Sevastova used the experience at her disposal to prevail.

Gauff’s US Open campaign is still alive as she is part of the doubles draw with fellow American player Catherine McNally. In her bid to get more matches and experience under her belt, Coco Gauff will aim for a deep run in the doubles.