Coco Gauff is learning more about herself as she copes with issues in her personal life while battling for titles and building her legacy in tennis.
At the Italian Open, the American said that she enjoys the beauty in showing up despite dealing with off-court issues. After beating Iva Jovic, Gauff added that she isn’t perfect but instead a work in progress.
Coco Gauff Admits Overcoming Negative Frame of Mind at the Italian Open
Gauff, the 2025 finalist, has reached the quarterfinals of the Italian Open. She faces Mirra Andreeva for a place in the semifinal.
Gauff’s path to the final eight wasn’t plain sailing. On Monday, May 11, the American had to fend off a match point in the second set against Jovic to survive her compatriot’s challenge, eventually winning the contest 5-7, 7-5, 6-2. In her previous match, she staged another comeback, a 5-7, 6-0, 6-4 win against Solana Sierra.
During the press conference that followed, she admitted that she’s been juggling personal issues while competing for the past few months. While she refused to elaborate, the 22-year-old added that she loves the beauty of showing up nevertheless.
After beating Jovic, I asked Gauff on behalf of PFSN whether she has a method of compartmentalizing. The American responded:
“At times I find I can do a good job of being able to compartmentalize person, tennis, and everything. But sometimes things mix.”
The American admitted she wasn’t happy with the way her match against Sierra unfolded, which triggered a shift in mindset against Jovic.
“Yeah, I wasn’t really proud of the way I showed up in my last match. Today I was like, I’m not going to be like that. I thought I did a good job,” she said.
“Obviously there’s moments I did get negative. I’m not perfect. I’m a work in progress. I think today, for the most part, I thought I was really mentally sound. I think that’s something to be proud of and be able to try to remember the next time I’m in a moment like that,” Gauff added.
Gauff has reached the Italian Open quarterfinal for the fourth time in her career and the third time in a row. She is chasing her first clay-court WTA 1000 title after falling short against Jasmine Paolini in Rome last year.
The American would hope for a deep run at the tournament as her title defense at the French Open nears.
