World No. 4 Coco Gauff and two-time champion Elina Svitolina are set to clash for the Italian Open title on Saturday. For this highly anticipated clay-court showdown, the focus is not just on the tactical matchup but on the mental and emotional toll the 2026 season has taken on the top seeds, including Gauff. And Tennis Channel analysts discussed Gauff’s recent emotional struggles and off-court issues ahead of her match against the Ukrainian.
‘Not Robots’: Tracy Austin Defends Coco Gauff’s Emotional Vulnerability Ahead of the Italian Open Final Against Svitolina
While Gauff has fought her way to yet another prestigious final, recent off-court issues and visible on-court frustrations have sparked discussions about her mental readiness. During a recent Tennis Channel broadcast discussing the finalists, host Steve Weissman asked two-time Grand Slam winner and analyst Tracy Austin, “Do you see anything tangibly in Coco Gauff when she gets down a set?”
Austin’s response highlighted a vulnerable moment for the 22-year-old American during the tournament, underscoring the immense pressure of professional tennis.
“You don’t. I mean, you just feel like, I mean, once in a while in one of those matches against Sierra, she actually self-harmed,” Austin pointed out. “She hit her head a couple of times. She talked about it afterward. She said, ‘Oh, I’ve been dealing with a few things off the court,'” Austin added.
“These are not robots. I mean, they are human, and they have these emotions. What’s most important for Coco is that she’s getting through these matches, but playing a little bit better each time. She’s used to being in the finals so often. But Svitolina, she’s the one who’s won this a couple of times.”
Gauff herself has been candid about the psychological weight she has been carrying this season. Addressing recent moments when her frustration publicly boiled over on the court, she admitted they stem from a few issues off the court.
While she usually prefers not to show that side of herself in front of fans or young players, keeping the pressure bottled up isn’t always possible. “Sometimes it just boils over. I try to handle my frustration responsibly and process those emotions, but it’s not always easy when you are competing at this level,” Gauff told the media.
In Rome, Gauff has been locked in, dropping just one set the entire tournament. She managed a third-round win against Solana Sierra, advanced through the round of 16 by beating Iva Jovic, secured a quarterfinal victory over 19-year-old Madrid runner-up Mirra Andreeva, and punched her ticket to the final by defeating Sorana Cîrstea in the semifinals.
Svitolina has also been an absolute force this week, dropping only two sets. After a straight-set victory over Hailey Baptiste (6-1, 6-2), a comeback win against former Rome champion Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals (2-6, 6-4, 6-4), she knocked out former world No. 1 Iga Świątek 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 in the semis.
The championship match takes place today, Saturday, May 16, at the Foro Italico in Rome, Italy.
