Coco Gauff exited the Dubai Tennis Championships in the quarterfinals, falling to Anna Kalinskaya in a hard-fought match. Despite being considered a favorite, Gauff faced tough competition and ultimately fell short against her determined opponent.
Reflecting on her growth, Gauff acknowledged that in the past, such losses would have had a greater impact on her mentally. However, she has learned to navigate such situations, as she mentioned in her press conference following her Round of 16 victory over Karolina Pliskova.
When asked about the scrutiny she faces as a Grand Slam champion and whether it makes her an easy target for criticism, Gauff responded by acknowledging the quick judgment she often faces after a defeat.
Many suggest she should prioritize tennis over off-court activities like photoshoots and other commitments.
In response, Gauff dismissed these criticisms, emphasizing that she understands her priorities and balances non-tennis activities with her training schedule.
“A lot of people like to criticize that,” Coco Gauff stated. “A lot of people like to say, maybe if I lose they’ll say, ‘She needs to focus on her tennis instead of doing this, doing photoshoots and stuff.'”
“I always contemplated having A Day in My Life so people could see what I’m doing. I’m practicing three or four hours in the morning, then doing the shoot,” she added.
Gauff reiterated that while tennis remains her primary focus, she also values having a life beyond the sport.
“Tennis is the main priority. Once I step off the court, I’m a person. I’m not hitting strokes while I’m eating food and everything. I’m thinking,” Coco Gauff emphasized. “I’m a person. I have opinions. I have thoughts. I feel like I have a responsibility with the platform tennis has given me to not use it in vain, so yeah,” she concluded.
