‘Representing My Country Is Great, but It’s Not..’- Coco Gauff Comes Clean on ‘Pressure’ as She Carries America’s Tennis Hopes on Her Young Shoulders

Coco Gauff‘s success on the court has increased significantly this year! Winning a Grand Slam title and securing a spot in the top five rankings have elevated her to the status of one of America’s top tennis players. Being the top-ranked tennis player in the United States, however, has its drawbacks, despite the love the country gives. It can put a lot of pressure on a player, creating chaos like never before.

Recently, the 19-year-old tennis player herself opened up about how she handles the pressure of being one of the top American tennis players. Subsequently, she also highlighted the positive side of becoming the pride of her country as a result of the same.

Coco Gauff opens up about handling pressure

The third-ranked tennis player is one of the popular American sensations who has kept their audience on their toes with their amazing performances on the court. Since the expectations of American tennis fans are high, it creates a lot of pressure on the player. Recently, after losing the semi-final against Jessica Pegula in a WTA event, Gauff opened up about her perspective on whether there is added pressure while representing America.

Gauff stated, “Representing my country is great, but it’s not something that I think about all the time. I feel like my whole life, I have been preparing for this, I guess. I have always been the lead of my age group, and beyond so. I think, over the years I have gotten used to it, but I don’t take it for granted.”  Coco Gauff plans on being very cautious about her present place in the hearts of American tennis fans.

Along with that, Gauff also highlighted how the best way to approach the idea is to not think about where you are standing and just give your hundred percent. She significantly described how she will try her best but, at the same time, won’t put much pressure on the results. “I don’t wanna put myself on  pedestal, there are still so many American girls and guys that can carry that as well, she added.” Such a humble approach is surely a sign of a great future.

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A few months ago, when Gauff won her first Grand Slam title at the US Open, she also talked about how she used to feel the same pressure. Along with that, she also shared a message for her younger self: to deal with other things better.

When Coco Gauff shared how her old version dealt with pressure 

After winning the US Open, in an interview with Insider, she opened up about how just putting her life into the right perspective has made things better for her in terms of dealing with pressure. She highlighted, “I used to think negative things like ‘Why is there so much pressure, why is this so hard, blah, blah, blah.’ I realize in a way it’s pressure, but it’s not.”

In a similar vein, following her campaign at the Australian Open, she expressed her empathy for Emma Raducanu, the former US Open champion. Furthermore, Gauff emphasized how Raducanu won a Grand Slam and then faced disappointment while trying to give her best under pressure. However, given that Serena Williams has decided to retire, she is likely under much more pressure because of the amount of American expectation

Coco Gauff has a long way to go, and her present attitude towards success showcases her true potential that is yet to come out. Nevertheless, what do you think about Gauff’s ideology of dealing with pressure? Do let us know in the comment section below.

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