Coco Gauff has already won the Olympic gold! Or at least that’s the mindset she’ll adhere to ahead of her participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The young American talent has penned a letter to her younger self, citing the struggles she’s endured over the years. With the insight, there’s only one thing left for the World No. 2 to accomplish, actually winning a gold medal at the Games.

The reigning US Open champion will mark her attendance at the multi-sport event for the first time in her career. In 2020, she contracted COVID-19 which forced her to pull out of the Games in Tokyo. However, this means her Paris debut will be all the more sweeter. She recently made a candid admission to her 17-year-old self a week before her Olympic debut approaches.

In an exclusive letter for NBC Olympics, the 20-year-old voiced her regret for missing out on playing for her country in the 2020 season. “Your outlook isn’t defined by the lines painted on the court; it’s solidified by your convictions. Stay strong in who you are, and what you want to communicate with the world. In those times that the world doubts you – don’t let it frustrate you. Let it fuel you. No one can dim your light as long you believe in it. As you hoist that silver trophy at the U.S. Open, your fire will never be brighter. Let it illuminate your future.”

Fire is what she will carry with her in the Summer Olympics as she looks to fulfill her childhood dream. Speaking to the WTA Tour about representing her country in the Olympics, Gauff said, “It’s something that I’ve been wanting to do since I was a kid. I have the opportunity to represent my country, it means a lot. Now I’m really just taking in the moments and being grateful for every day that I get to spend on Court and every day that I get to be alive in general.”

Although the Olympics have been rightfully prioritized by the American professional, she previously spoke about not wanting to pressure herself with high expectations at the Games.

“Not putting too much pressure on it” Coco Gauff ahead of her Paris Olympics debut

Earlier in the season, the World No. 2 was queried regarding her opinion on the Games. While playing at the 2024 Italian Open in Rome, Gauff spoke to the reporters about her demeanor in a post-match presser. Notably, the 20-year-old addressed that she wasn’t looking to put much pressure on herself and rather, wishes to enjoy the Games owing to the “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity it presents.

“I’m not putting too much pressure on it because I really want to fully indulge in the experience. Hopefully, I can have the experience multiple times in my lifetime. I’ll treat it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Gauff will join forces with compatriot Taylor Fritz as the duo represents Team USA in the Paris Olympics. Furthermore, their team will boast formidable entities such as Emma Navarro and Tommy Paul. The highly-anticipated event is scheduled to kick off on Friday, July 26. Can Gauff win big in Roland Garros?