For some time, Coco Gauff became used to always being younger than her opponents, but she is finding more and more often that this isn’t the case anymore.
Gauff has become a veteran at a young age since breaking out as a teenager, but as she approaches 20, she is finding that even younger players are out there.
She ousted 16-year-old Brenda Fruhvirtova in straight sets at the ASB Classic and afterwards commented on being the veteran in the clash and how weird that was.
The current US Open champion, born in 2004, is hoping for a second consecutive triumph in Auckland.
“It’s definitely a weird thing, a little bit now,” Gauff said in the press conference after her match and listed just three other opponents she can recall being younger than her.
“I told myself today: ‘As much more time passes, you have to get used to playing people younger than you.’
“As I get older, it’ll definitely be less of a thought in my mind.”
Gauff improved to 6-0 against younger opponents in 2022 and 2023, having bested Robin Montgomery, Linda Noskova, and Mirra Andreeva before facing Fruhvirtova to begin the 2024 season. The American, who will turn 20 in March, has a long history with Fruhvirtova and her elder sister, Linda, having practiced together when they were younger at the Patrick Mouratoglou Academy.
“I’ve known her since she was about 10 years old,” Gauff said during her on-court interview. “We used to be in France training at the same academy with Patrick Mouratoglou. With me, her, and her sister, we grew up training beside each other, so it’s great to see her on tour, and I’m sure she’s going to go even further than here.”
Gauff had opened her title defense with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over countrywoman Claire Liu to make a solid start to the campaign.
“I needed to be tested and I feel like I played well today for the first match in a while,” she said on court afterwards. “I’m happy with my level. Obviously there’s things I can improve.”
For Gauff Auckland brings back happy memories of really kickstarting her great 2023 campaign and beginning her journey to the US Open title.
“Auckland was my first title in over a year. It kind of set the momentum for me. I’m happy to be back here,” said Gauff of her return to the event.
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