Coco Gauff acknowledges that there is one crucial part of her game that is “something I know I have to improve and do better” following the Italian Open final.
The American reached back-to-back WTA 1000 finals as she lost in the Madrid Open final against Aryna Sabalenka at the beginning of May before going down against Jasmine Paolini at Foro Italico a fortnight later.
After surviving a three-hour, three-setter against Zheng Qinwen in the semi-final in Italy, Gauff was no match for the local hero in the final as Paolini won 6-4, 6-2.
There is no doubt Gauff was her own worst enemy, but she was quick to point out that her opponent forced her to make errors.
“Jasmine played I think great tennis today. I think it was one of her best levels today. I also didn’t play my best level. I think it’s both,” she said.
“It’s not to discredit my opponent. She forced me to play that way. Yeah, maybe I could have served better and put more balls in the court, could play better. I definitely could and can.”
Gauff served seven double faults in the final and 15 in the semi-final while her total unforced error count against Paolini was an astonishing 55 to go with the 70 against Zheng.
Asked if she was slightly concerned by those figures, the 21-year-old replied: “Yes and no. I knew today I was trying to be more aggressive because I felt like if I was being passive, she would run me across the court.
“I think for me I guess, yeah, with the double-faults, it’s something I know I have to improve and do better. If I want to make it to the next level, it’s definitely something I have to improve.
“Unforced errors? I mean, I was just going for my shots. In the semi, I mean, there is context behind that in the semi-final. The court was super slow. We were both missing balls. It’s not so easy to hit a winner. The only way to win the points is to force your opponent to make an error or they make an unforced error.
“Today I think it was just a tough day for me.”
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But there is no doubt Gauff’s performances in Madrid and Rome will give her a boost ahead of the French Open where she will be seeded second behind world No 1 Sabalenka.
She reached the semi-final at Roland Garros last year, the quarter-final in 2023 and finished runner-up to Iga Swiatek in 2022.
“I think it’s both confidence and motivation to do better. Hopefully I can get to the final in Roland Garros and maybe the ‘third time is a charm’ thing is a real thing. That’s looking so far ahead,” the American said.
“Overall I lost to two quality opponents, Aryna in Madrid and Jasmine here. So yeah, I think I have a lot to improve, a lot that I can work on.
“I made the final with those errors. Made the final maybe not playing my best tennis. It just gives me confidence if I can find that good form heading into Roland Garros, I can do well there.”
