In just a month, Coco Gauff and Brad Gilbert have proven to be the most successful team. When Gauff started working with Gilbert, people knew her game would improve. But two titles, including Gauff’s career first WTA 1000 Masters title, were unforeseen. The tennis community hailed Andre Agassi’s former coach for his exceptional coaching skills. The analysis Gilbert offers, his master strokes to tackle the opponents, and his attention to minute details taught the US Open favorite to beat even the most demanding players, like Iga Swiatek.

While Gilbert is coaching the teenager on the nitty-gritty of the sport, the French Open finalist had to learn to manage her own self and mindset, too. This is where Carlos Alcaraz‘s example stepped in and changed how Gauff viewed the game.

Coco Gauff reveals how watching Carlos Alcaraz helped her game

The 19-year-old ended the run of Russia’s rising teen, Mirra Andreeva, by beating her in straight sets. The Cincinnati Masters winner is known for displaying raw emotions on the court. And so when Gauff wasn’t in her best form, she struggled to cope with it. Since Gauff and Alcaraz are only a year apart in age, the American could relate to how he handles losses and picked up a page from his book.

In the post-match press conference after her 2nd round, Gauff recalled, “For instance, Carlos in Cincinnati, he was losing a set every match pretty much and he wasn’t playing his best, that was clear.” The 19-year-old was stunned when Alcaraz continued to smile despite his loss. Gauff said, “The way that he was still smiling, for me, against Hubi Hurkacz and he was down a set and a break or something like that, I don’t know, he was down crazy or down match points. He was still smiling.”

The Spaniard’s emotional balance became Gauff’s gateway to balance her emotions. The Roland Garros?finalist thought if the World No. 1 could keep up his spirits irrespective of the pressure he carries, she, too, could reach that level.?She recalled that though she is not an underdog, she is considered one whenever she plays against consistent top rankers like Swiatek or Aryna Sabalenka. Gauff assured herself that she could put on a smile in such situations.

READ MORE: Coco Gauff?s Mid-Match Clash With Umpire at US Open Gains Ex-MVP Kevin Garnett?s Strong Approval

The teenager also elaborated on how her perspective on tennis has changed while watching the World No. 1 play. Gauff also revealed the matches she followed of Alcaraz and the new rivalry brewing up in the ATP.

America’s favorite sheds light on what changed in her game

Winning matches and enjoying the process that leads to victories are two different things. Gauff celebrates her victories, but only after she secured it. The road that leads to success, like the matches and the practice sessions, is equally enjoyable. It took her time to learn to enjoy the game and channel her inner fun into it instead of bottling it up.

Watching the matches between Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic introduced the teenager to a new world of sports. When Djokovic lost to Alcaraz in the Wimbledon Championships final, the Serb smiled and hugged the Spaniard for his mind-boggling play. The Spaniard did the same when he lost to Djoker in the Cincinnati Masters final.

The matches between the Serb and the Spaniard are the most anticipated in ATP. Gauff made the matches her learning sessions and made the best out of their rivalry and how they handled losses. Gauff concluded that she was laughing and smiling, enjoying the joy of playing tennis. America’s favorite will play her third round tomorrow against Elise Mertens of Belgium.

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