How Coco Gauff’s Stance on Motherhood Differs From Serena Williams’
Gauff is progressing steadily in Miami and stood tall against Cîrstea despite a tough fight from the latter. Gauff edged the opening set 6-4, making the difference on key points as she won 68% behind her first serve despite four double faults. She capitalized on her chances, converting three breaks to Cîrstea’s two to take the early lead.
Cîrstea responded by taking control of the second set and securing it 6-3. Gauff struggled behind her second serve, failing to win a single point, while Cîrstea capitalized with three breaks and a flawless record on second-serve returns.
The No. 4 seed took full control in the decider, winning 79% of first-serve points and not allowing a single break. The American struck twice on return and kept her service games tidy to secure the set 6-2 and reach the quarterfinals of the WTA 1000 event.
Following her win, Coco Gauff addressed a range of topics in her press conference, including whether she envisions motherhood after tennis.
“I don’t really visualize life after tennis right now,” she said. “Yeah, I don’t know. But I definitely wouldn’t want to have kids while playing. Probably I am pretty certain on that. But yeah, you never know. I mean, if Serena, Venus, bunch of people all said similar things, but I just don’t see it for myself.”
Notably, Serena Williams set a remarkable example by thriving at the highest level while balancing motherhood, winning the 2017 Australian Open while pregnant with her daughter Olympia, and later returning to Grand Slam finals as a mother. Gauff added:
“But yeah, honestly, I haven’t really thought about life after tennis. I definitely don’t want to coach or anything, so you won’t see me out there. But, at first I said no commentating, but then it kind of looks kind of fun, so maybe I would consider doing something like that, but yeah, I haven’t thought that far ahead.”
Nonetheless, the 22-year-old will remain fully focused on her upcoming quarterfinal. She awaits the winner of Amanda Anisimova and Belinda Bencic’s fourth-round clash, with PFSN’s Tennis Simulator giving the American a slight edge at 58%.
