‘I Want One So Bad’ – Coco Gauff Remembers Terrible Stroke of Luck as She Turns Desperate for American Glory at Olympics

The year was 2021. Coco Gauff was all set to make her Olympic debut and hopefully bring in a win. However, that hope soon turned into heartbreak as she tested positive for COVID-19. “I am so disappointed to share the news that I have tested positive for COVID and won’t be able to play in the Olympic Games in Tokyo,” read her statement. But what she was feeling was much more than disappointment. It was a crushing defeat in a budding athlete’s career.

Now, three years later, Gauff is ready with renewed vigor. As per a USTA press release, the 20-year-old is among 11 total US selections set to take the stage in Paris in the Singles and Doubles category, and one of the six slated for a debut. And, as expected, she couldn’t be more excited. Earlier this month, in a conversation with PEOPLE, she expressed her feelings about representing her country in Paris. Hopeful about a better stroke of luck, Gauff mentioned, “Fingers crossed, nothing happens to me at the last minute again! But I’m really happy to have my shot at a medal… every time I see somebody else with a gold medal, I want one so bad.”

After Gauff failed to turn up in Tokyo, it was Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic who picked up the Gold, while Czech Republic’s Markéta Vondroušová and Ukraine’s Elina Sviltolina clinched Silver and Bronze, respectively. Interestingly, USA was far down the list with Jennifer Brady and Jennifer Pegula in 33rd. As for the Women’s Doubles, Czech Republic’s Barbora Krejčíková & Kateřina Siniaková took Gold as Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic & Viktorija Golubic’s clinched Silver and Brazil’s Laura Pigossi and Luisa Stefani won Bronze. Team USA, once again, failed to make an impact with a 17th-place finish.

Hopefully, the team can turn their fortunes around this year. Earlier in May, talking to reporters during the Italian Open, Gauff talked about her eagerness. “For me, the Olympics is a top priority. I’d say equal to the grand slams,” she said.

The rising star, now ranked number two in the world, will lead a strong American tennis team to the Paris Olympics this summer. The USA has a real shot at medals, but some top players like Frances Tiafoe and Madison Keys surprisingly decided to skip the Games. Gauff recently spoke about these absences and explained why she couldn’t turn the chance down.

“For me, it was always a yes, since 2020 basically, if I had the chance to qualify but I understand the reasonings of other players, why they prefer to prioritize their health. The schedule is hectic. I don’t think I will regret it after but Toronto and Cincinnati will probably be interesting for me, with all the clay, grass, hard in such a short amount of time.” Interestingly, Coco Gauff, the reigning U.S. Open champ, knows the travel grind of pro tennis.

Instead, joining her will be No. 5 Jessica Pegula (Singles and Doubles), No. 11 Danielle Collins (Singles and Doubles), No. 17 Emma Navarro (Singles and Doubles), and No. 11 Desirae Krawczyk (only Doubles). As for the men’s team, singles world No. 12 Fritz, No. 13 Tommy Paul, No. 44 Chris Eubanks, No. 53 Marcos Giron, and doubles No. 6 Rajeev Ram and No. 15 Austin Krajicek, will compete.

However, not just Gauff herself, even her family’s excited to see the daughter make waves in the French capital. And in particular, her grandma!

Finding a work-life balance is no match for Coco Gauff!

Coco Gauff’s grandmother, Yvonne Odom, recently spoke between sets of Gauff’s match in Berlin. Odom revealed her granddaughter’s burning desire to compete in the Olympics, ever since that fateful day in 2o21. Gauff’s ranking as the world’s No. 2 and America’s top player makes this second chance even sweeter. Odom admitted she still gets nervous watching Coco play, a feeling that goes back to when her own daughter competed.

“Unequivocally, because I was that same way when my daughter ran track in high school and in college,” Odom said. “I used to hold my head down, wait until I heard the gun go off, then I’d look up, and it’s no different now with Coco.”

As for the star of the show, she also makes sure it’s not just her professional life but also her personal life that takes precedence. Sharing her secret to juggling competition with family and friends, she said, “It’s just finding a balance.” “I also think because I started so young that it just feels like my reality,” she explains. “It doesn’t feel like I’m missing things because it’s always been my reality,” Gauff said, just ahead of Wimbledon, where she famously upset her idol Venus Williams at only 15 years of age.

Despite her busy schedule, she also admitted to having occasional pangs of homesickness. Fortunately, she has a strong support system: “There are times, yes, I do feel homesick and feel overwhelmed. But I am thankful that my parents are able to travel with me a lot, so they help a lot.” On top of that, Gauff hinted that her boyfriend might join the cheering section for U.S. tournaments. “My boyfriend, he’ll probably come to maybe some tournaments in the U.S. It’s just a little bit easier than coming to Europe,” Gauff told of her unnamed partner.

Well, it won’t be wrong to say that Coco Gauff demonstrates impressive organizational skills, juggling the demands of professional tennis with maintaining strong relationships with family, friends, and a significant other.