Coco Gauff’s thriller boyfriend performs an enormous function in her Grand Slam preparation.
The 19-year-old tennis sensation is again in motion tonight in opposition to Alycia Parks within the third spherical of the Australian Open. It marks the Floridian’s first Grans Slam since profitable the US Open on dwelling turf, which launched her into world stardom.
Gauff beat world No2 Aryna Sabalenka having misplaced the primary set 6-2, earlier than coming again to win the second and third 6-3 and 6-2. It confirmed quite a lot of psychological energy on {the teenager}’s half after dropping the French Open last to Iga Swiatek 15 months earlier.
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And she defined that the totally different consequence was partially right down to her boyfriend’s assist in her preparation. Gauff defined how she had beforehand sought to visualise a victory earlier than her Grand Slam finals, having additionally misplaced out on the doubles title at Roland Garros in 2022.
But after realising it made her “want it too much,” she scrapped her pre-match routine in favour of a protracted, late night time dialog along with her boyfriend, whose identification stays unknown.
(Image: Getty Images)
She revealed: “Honestly, I did not have any of these visions [of winning] until final night time. You know, I considered it, however I instructed myself to get it out of my head, as a result of that is what I did at [the] French [Open]. I used to be envisioning, you recognize, what would occur if I’d win. I believe I needed it an excessive amount of.
“Last night, I started a little bit, but honestly, I just called my boyfriend, and I told him: ‘Let’s talk until it’s time to go to sleep.’ So we spoke until 1:00 a.m., and then I went to sleep.”
(Image: Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis through Getty Images)
That was the primary time Gauff publicly confirmed she is in a relationship. But it seems her relationship was already blossoming at the very least a number of months earlier than, beforehand having talked about her associate briefly again in April throughout an interview with Tennis Channel’s Warm and Fuzzy.
“It makes you feel like you want to be in love,” the participant stated after listening to a harp melody on the present, inflicting the host to ask her about her love life. She then responded: “God, I hope he doesn’t see this.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Gauff, who has already beat Anna Karolina Schmiedlova and Caroline Dolehide at Melbourne Park this month, additionally makes use of her faith – Christianity – to arrange for matches. Since beginning out as an eight-year-old, the teenage celebrity has prayed along with her father earlier than each contest that she and her opponent could be secure.
She stated after profitable the Cincinnati Open in August 2023: “I’d wish to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I spent a variety of nights alone, crying making an attempt to determine it out. I nonetheless have loads to determine, however I thank Him for protecting me.”
Gauff added after her Grand Slam glory in September: “I don’t pray for results, I just ask that I get the strength to give it my all and whatever happens happens. I’m so blessed in this life.”