Even as the WTA tour had shifted on to the European red clay season this year, Coco Gauff’s favourite surface and the period that brought her first grand slam final at the French Open in 2022, the 19-year-old was struggling. During the early days of spring, Gauff had taken a few early defeats, culminating in a bitter 6-3, 6-0 loss against Paula Badosa in Madrid.
A few days later Gauff, normally known for her toughness and fight, admitted she had allowed her frustration to consume her. “I mentally wasn’t engaged in that second set,” she said.
