?Not Going to Happen?- How a Slice of Roger Federer?s Practical Wisdom Helped Coco Gauff Conquer the Mighty Grand Slam Mountain

Roger Federer is not just a legend of the sport. The Swiss Maestro has won many titles in his countless years on the circuit and it is not very difficult to think of him as a sage figure with unique wisdom related to tennis. In fact, he is known to often share his knowledge with younger stars whenever possible. For one young star, his advice may have turned her career trajectory.

The reigning 2023 US Open champion Coco Gauff, shares a close association with Federer. The young American sensation is a huge follower of his and has often taken advice from the 20-time Grand Slam champion. Not only is she one of his biggest fans, but she also considers him her mentor, as she feels that she can go to him for advice at any time. One particular piece of insight reportedly changed her mindset and helped her go far in Grand Slams, and now, she has one major title of her own to show for it.

The Roger Federer Effect on Coco Gauff

Gauff is a big fan of the Swiss Maestro, and she was featured heavily in his biography, ‘The Roger Federer Effect’. In one of the excerpts, she talked about a piece of advice he shared with her a few years ago. Being a player on tour for almost two decades, Federer knew what he was talking about when he told her to not put much pressure on herself about winning. A junior player who performs great can have a difficult period of transition to the senior level. The competition will be more difficult, and many players will end up demoralizing themselves if they don’t win constantly.

?He told me that you?re playing every week and sometimes you?re going to feel like you don?t enjoy it. You?re going to put too much pressure on yourself about winning every week. And it?s impossible to win every week on Tour.?? She further explained, “He said: ‘I’m going to tell you right now, it’s not going to happen’. I said, ‘Of course, yeah, yeah, yeah,’ but you know, I didn’t really think about that until after I lost in Madrid. I was like, you know what? He’s right. You’re not going to win all the time. Whatever happens, happens, just enjoy it. Enjoy the moment.”

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She didn’t listen to him at first. But Federer’s advice finally struck a chord at the 2022 Roland Garros, and her mindset changed. “I think that was the biggest thing I was doing (before), looking too far ahead and wasn’t even enjoying what I was doing.” When his words settled in, she reached her first Slam final in the French Open a month later. Now, the young American sensation has won her first Grand Slam. In an interview in 2021, Gauff said that she feels she can go to him for advice at any time.

Gauff being mentored by Federer

During her Wimbledon stint in 2021, Gauff managed to land in the second week of the tournament. She played one match right before the Swiss Maestro followed up with his own clash. She called herself the opening act for him but also recognized the role he had in shaping her mindset. Gauff further said that she could go to him for advice whenever she wanted.?

Federer has been a big influence on her mentality, and his impact is reflecting in her playing style now. If she keeps it up, she will go much further and perhaps even become a decorated player like her idol.

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