By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday January 25, 2024
Coco Gauff’s last Grand Slam as a teen led to disappointment, however the American is making an attempt to see the positives after falling to Aryna Sabalenka 7-6(2), 6-4 on within the Australian Open semifinals on Thursday night time in Melbourne.
“Total a optimistic event,” Gauff advised reporters after the loss. “I had possibilities in each units, however she performed higher tonight. I felt like I did my greatest with the sport plan that I had. I believe it simply got here all the way down to a few factors, and that is tennis.”
The American was bidding to develop into the fourth American teenager to notch 50 wins on the Grand Slams as a teen, however fell one victory quick. She expressed blended feelings about her efficiency.
The People that received 50 or extra matches as youngsters have been Mary Joe Fernandez (57), Tracy Austin (56) and Jennifer Capriati (50).
“I simply really feel like I take a look at the glass half empty, so I am unfavourable,” she stated. “Then I checked out that stat and I am like that they had nice careers. So I am in the suitable path. I simply need to remind myself of the journey and never a lot of the second.
“I’m actually pleased with myself. I did need to win a slam as a teen, and I did that. Clearly in the present day I hoped to get No. 2, or not less than give myself an opportunity to get No. 2. It did not occur, however I really feel like I am there, yeah. So hopefully I can go solely upwards from right here.”
Regardless of the loss, Gauff can take solace in the truth that she reeled off a 12-match Grand Slam successful streak and received her maiden main title in her final two Grand Slams as a teen (she’s going to flip 20 in March). She has already performed two main finals, successful one, and owns a file or 49-17 on the Grand Slams.
Although disenchanted, she wished to make it clear that she is having enjoyable and having fun with her journey, and received’t let one outcome outline her narrative.
“Yeah, I’m having enjoyable. I really feel like if I ever get to a second the place I cease having enjoyable, I’d take a break,” she stated. “I believe for me crucial factor is to proceed that, having enjoyable. Although tonight I misplaced, it was nonetheless an ideal aggressive match.
“I watched these matches rising up and, like, watching Serena and watching Sharapova lose, like, these [types of] matches. It looks like while you’re in it, it seems like the tip of the world. However then while you take a look at historical past, they did not let one match outline their profession.”
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