Coco Gauff might not be stepping into the US Open with the best track record this season, but don’t count her out just yet. The young star, known for her immense talent, has had a few setbacks, but she’s not letting that dim her determination to defend her title. What’s driving her this time? A piece of remarkable advice she picked up on social media. Sometimes, all it takes is a few wise words to reignite that fire, and Gauff seems ready to channel that motivation into another unforgettable run at the US Open. Could this be the boost she needs to clinch the title once again?

Gauff demonstrated exceptional tennis skills and dominance at the Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday, as she outclassed her opponent Varvara Gracheva in great fashion with a straight-set victory, 6-2, 6-0. What followed soon after the match was a sense of pride and confidence, that seemed to drive the American player’s run in the tournament this season

After winning the match, Gauff engaged in an on-court interview as she revealed a motivating fact about her campaign. “Somebody commented on my tik tok and they were just like ‘You won in life literally and figuratively, and there is no point feeling pressure on yourself’,” Gauff said. The advice was taken seriously by the World No. 3.

“So I am just treating this tournament like that. If you defend something that means you won something and if you did it that means you can do it again. So… I am gonna do it again,” Gauff added. Remember, the star player entered the tournament as the defending champion and is one of the favorite contenders for the title. But the road to the trophy will not be a cakewalk for the young star, especially because of her latest performance on the American hardcourts.  

Gauff was ousted in her second match of the Canadian Open, where she faced a defeat from Diana Shnaider. Similar situations unfolded for the star player at the Cincinnati Masters, where she was baffled in her opening match itself, against Yulia Putinsteva. But despite the setbacks, the reigning champ has found great support from her fans and well-wishers ahead of the US Open.

In a video shared by the official X account of the US Open on August 25, several fans can be seen predicting the title winner. On the men’s side, there seemed to be a draw between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, with several fans supporting either of the two as the probable title contender. But on the women’s side, Gauff emerged as the clear favorite.

The 20-year-old has come into the tournament with an added layer of confidence. Speaking in the pre-tournament presser, the reigning US Open champion said, “The last couple of practices have gone really well, which….before, like, during Cincinnati wasn’t having great practices, in Toronto wasn’t having great practices.”

While the home conditions and the support from the fans would add to Gauff’s confidence, pressure is also there because of the magnitude of the occasion.

When Coco Gauff revealed the added burden on her shoulders at the US Open

Coco Gauff is booming with confidence going into the US Open, but the season has not been easy for her. The 20-year-old has failed to win much this year, with her only major victory coming in the French Open’s doubles category, As she enters the US Open, there is a sense of pressure that she is experiencing.

Speaking in an interview ahead of the tournament, Gauff admitted the fact that since she would be entering the US Open as the defending champion, expectations from her to win the title are immense. Reflecting upon that, World No. 3 said, “Obviously, coming in as defending champion is a little bit of pressure, but also more of a privilege, because as my new motto is: If you defend, that means you won something before.”

But Gauff has now depicted her form in an incredible showdown in the first round. It would be interesting to see if she can maintain her form and defend her title at Flushing Meadows.