Camille Naredo

US' Coco Gauff returns to Croatia's Donna Vekic during their women's singles third round tennis match on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Stadium during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, in Paris on July 30, 2024. Patricia de Melo Moreira, AFP/File

US' Coco Gauff returns to Croatia's Donna Vekic during their women's singles third round tennis match on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Stadium during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, in Paris on July 30, 2024. (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP)

Article (news)

Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Agence France-Presse

MELBOURNE, Australia -- Red-hot Coco Gauff said Friday that keeping cool in tough moments was behind a scintillating run of form that has made her a major threat to Aryna Sabalenka at the Australian Open.Sabalenka is the world number one and favorite to win a third title in a row in Melbourne.But the 20-year-old Gauff, ranked three, finished 2024 with a flourish by winning the China Open and the season-ending WTA Tour Finals.She took that form into this season, winning all her singles matches at the United Cup including beating world number two Iga Swiatek in straight sets to lead the United States to glory.Gauff, who faces a potential banana skin against the 2020 Australian Open champion and fellow American Sofia Kenin in the first round, said the key was &quot;being relaxed, being chilled&quot;.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2025/1/9/tennis-djokovic-handed-tough-australian-open-draw-2028">READ: Djokovic handed tough Australian Open draw, Sinner faces Jarry test</a></div>&quot;I know I&#x27;ve been playing well, but I can&#x27;t play well all the time, I know there&#x27;s going to be some tough moments in this tournament and hopefully I can get through them.&quot;Gauff changed coaches in the autumn after her US Open defense fell flat, parting with Brad Gilbert and bringing in the little-known Matt Daly.It paid off instantly with victory at the 1000 event in the Chinese capital and Gauff said her new coaching set-up had helped her in &quot;staying in the moment and enjoying it as much as possible&quot;.&quot;The results have obviously been good because of that, but just trying to learn to do that when the results aren&#x27;t so good,&quot; she said.Worryingly for the rest of the women&#x27;s draw, Gauff said that she feels now &quot;more comfortable than ever&quot; after making changes to her game.Her serve at the US Open was a particular problem.&quot;I think I have a bit more tools to work with. Also I think just going for my shots more, being more okay with missing, taking chances,&quot; she added.&quot;Before, I feel like I won a lot of matches just being able to get a lot of balls back. I realized that&#x27;s not the way to play if I want to have more success.&quot;<div>© Agence France-Presse</div>

Red-hot Coco Gauff said Friday that keeping cool in tough moments was behind a scintillating run of form that has made her a major threat to Aryna Sabalenka at the Australian Open.

Red-hot Coco Gauff said Friday that keeping cool in tough moments was behind a scintillating run of form that has made her a major threat to Aryna Sabalenka at the Australian Open.

Tennis: Red-hot Gauff vows to keep cool in Australian Open title charge

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Sports

Tennis: Red-hot Gauff vows to keep cool in Australian Open title charge

Agence France-Presse

Published January 10, 2025 08:46 PM PHT

Read More:

abssports

tennis

Australian Open

Coco Gauff

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Haven't received our newsletter?

Check your inbox to verify and confirm your subscription.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.