Coco Gauff admitted she felt “more human” after allowing herself a rare moment of vulnerability during her U.S. Open second-round win on Thursday.
Idman.biz, citing Reuters, reports that under the primetime lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, the 21-year-old broke down in tears after struggling with errors and double faults against Donna Vekic.
The third seed trailed late in the opening set, wiping away tears into her towel after losing serve in the ninth game. “It feels human,” the 2023 champion said. “Being an athlete, people sometimes forget that side of us. I just gave into the pressure, but I think that’s normal.”
Gauff, who has been working on her serve with biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan after parting ways with coach Matt Daly, regrouped impressively to seal a 7-6(5), 6-2 victory. She cut her unforced errors from 13 to five and reduced her double faults to just one in the second set. “It’s not about the breakdown, but how you get up after,” she said. “Today I showed I can rise after feeling the worst I’ve ever felt on court.”
Idman.biz
