French Open 2024: Despite Negative Record, Coco Gauff Says She Has ‘Unfinished Business’ in Triggering Message to Iga Swiatek

It was the 2022 French Open. Eyeing her first Grand Slam title, Coco Gauff made it to the summit clash after putting on some wonderful performances. However, in her path stood Iga Swiatek, the top seed there. The final went as expected with the Polish star dominating Gauff right throughout the match and winning the title. Two years later, the American sensation is out to take revenge and made a stunning revelation recently on her rivalry with Swiatek.

The French Open, which starts tomorrow, will see some stunning rivalries unfold, among which is the one between Gauff and Swiatek. The two are slated to face each other in the semifinals, after being placed in the same half of the draw. During an interview with TODAY, Gauff was asked how she felt ahead of the French Open. Replying to this, she said, “I’m feeling really great going into the French Open. It is one of the tournaments I do consistently the best at. I have unfinished business on the court and off the court.”

Further, she went on to add, “I’m feeling really good. I think it’s competitive among the top 4 players it’s always going to be who wins the tournament.” Indeed, Gauff will be out to seek revenge and improve her h2h record against Swiatek. In the 11 matches played between the two, the American star has won just a solitary match.

Swiatek and Gauff’s rivalry has become a talking point in the tennis world. The two even played against each other at the Italian Open recently, with Swiatek winning in straight sets. As a result, a tennis insider feels that Swiatek has a big mental advantage going into the French Open.

Christopher Clarey points out a major disadvantage for Coco Gauff

During a recent episode of the Tennis Channel Inside-In podcast, renowned journalist, Christopher Clarey, went on to explain why Swiatek is better-placed than Gauff to clinch the title in Paris. He gave an example from their recent meeting in Rome, which was a heated clash.

Clarey explained, “She was talking to the chair umpire at length about Iga taking a swig of water. In a changeover to brush of the clay as you see, she stumbled a little bit. At one point, I think Coco’s just trying to get either Iga out of her head or how far she goes into her head that she would focus on something like that.”

On top of that, Gauff herself admitted to having negative emotions after the match. The American sensation will look to put that defeat behind her as she steps onto the court in Paris. It’ll be interesting to see if she can win the French Open title, which will be her maiden clay-court Grand Slam title.