No pressure as Gauff enjoys her tennis

Coco Gauff took less than an hour to dismantle Swiss Jil Teichmann 6-3, 6-2 in Melboour today to book a second round showdown with world No 5 Elina Svitolina.

Gauff, still only 16, said she decided tog tale a more laid back approach this week – and it worked as she said she has learned to cope with the pressures of the pro game.

“I put way less pressure on myself than I did last week and you can kind of see how the match played that I kind of played a little bit more free than last week,” she said.

Coco GAUFF was a comfortable winner over Jil Teichmann. Photo: Tennis Australia/ ROB PREZIOSO

“I learned a lot from the summer series here, and I’m happy to take what I learned into this week.”

Gauff told reporters she had learned to cope with the high expectations.

“I don’t feel any pressure,” she said. “You want to do as well or even better than the year before, but I try not to think about it and just take it one match at a time.”

Of her next opponent Svitolina, Gauff added: “She’s a great player and I know it’s going to be a tough match, but I’m just going to embrace the opportunity and try to play well under the pressure.”

Peter Rowe

Recent Posts

Alcaraz blows past Brazilian to advance in Madrid

Carlos Alcaraz won nine straight games to arrive at the cusp of a win, but needed…

6 hours ago

Nadal leans on memories if form doesn’t lift before RG

Rafael Nadal is seriously tamping down expectations for the French Open, with the 13-time champion…

7 hours ago

Mateship kicked to the curb in Sinner win

Jannik Sinner put his friendship with Lorenzo Sonego on the back burner in a 6-0,…

1 day ago

Nadal takes revenge with Madrid grudge win

Rafael Nadal took a huge step in his injury comeback scenario as the clay court icon…

1 day ago

Rublev reverses his spring loss streak

Andrey Rublev brought a halt to a painful loss streak lasting for nearly two months…

2 days ago

Aggressive Alcaraz motors in Madrid

Carlos Alcaraz began his delayed clay season on Friday after a month of arm injury…

2 days ago