Five WTA titles have been won by Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff as a team in the doubles circuit. At the 2022 French Open, they also advanced to the doubles final. They have also achieved positions in the top 10 in doubles as a result of their title victories.
Despite their successes, doubles still come in second to singles tennis in terms of prominence. The pair agreed to forgo competing in doubles, but both joined the singles competition at the combined 500-event on both tours. The explanations were provided by Pegula on Sunday at a pre-tournament press conference. Pegula discussed her approach to tournaments and singles matches. She said,
“Yeah, I think we kind of made that decision just knowing the weather here, the heat, and doubling up in a short week before Montreal is really tough.” (via Tennis Infinity)
She claimed that she doesn’t pay much attention to the outcomes of certain matches because anyone can have a terrible day. Pegula clarified that she concentrates more on the incremental game improvements made during every tournament. She added,
“Last year it was a struggle to get to Toronto and whatever. We just thought it would be easier this week. But yeah, I think, so for me I’m just, I don’t know, I’m just working on everything that I usually work on, trying to get back into match play. I’ve had a few weeks off.”
She emphasizes that her major objective is on improving her game wherever feasible and giving her best effort, given her connection to the competition at Washington.
The two athletes are highly skilled, placing in the top 10 in both singles and doubles competitions. It will be interesting to observe how their strategic choice to concentrate on singles at Washington impacts their tournament performances.
Coco Gauff reveals she is in a ‘rebuilding phase’ at Citi Open
After losing to Sofia Kenin in the first round of Wimbledon, Coco Gauff is back in business this week for the Citi Open in Washington, D.C. Gauff, 19, claims she is in a “rebuilding period” and wants to learn from people like Carlos Alcaraz, the top-ranked male player in the world. At the Citi Open, she has been collaborating with Brad Gilbert, a former coach of Andy Murray.
Gilbert, a former No. 4 in the world, has been giving Gauff advice at the current WTA 500 competition in Washington. The American revealed she is very happy with the dynamic of her new team. Coco explained her relief on how they have all started working together seamlessly. She admitted that having someone more experienced would help her play better.
Brad Gilbert a new addition to the team of Coco Gauff who practiced on stadium today in DC. #MubadalaCitiDCOpen pic.twitter.com/HP4INHW4tP
“I definitely do feel like I’m in a rebuilding period,” She made this statement before her match in Washington, DC, at Citi Open where she is the 3rd seed. Coco continued to add,
“I’m trying to hit the next gear of my game. I feel like I have the foundation in my game. Now it’s building around that, it’s building the house, I guess, essentially. I have the land and I need to build the house on top of it, make it as extravagant and big and pretty as possible.”
Pere Riba was added to Gauff’s coaching staff earlier this summer, and Brad Gilbert has also joined since. Before the Citi Open, Gilbert, who has previously worked with Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, and Andy Murray, had been working with Gauff.
Currently ranked No. 4 by the WTA, Coco Gauff is one of the most promising female professional tennis players. It will only be a matter of time before Gauff’s game improves to a new level, making it very difficult for her opponents as her coaching career progresses.