American teen tennis sensation Coco Gauff has opened up on a piece of advice from her father that has helped her to go out and play aggressively.
A power-hitter and aggressor when playing at her best, Gauff said she owes her strong body language and bullish intent to her father.
Coco Gauff says her dad asks her not to play unless she’s “physically ready to fight someone”
She added that her father insists that she goes out all guns blazing, with an intent to find weak links in her opponents’ game and go for the kill.
“My dad brings it (aggression) out a lot. He always tells me, ‘don’t step on the court unless you’re physically ready to fight someone,” the teen said.
Gauff, who turned 17 on Saturday, said while she is happy to be one of the top-50 women’s tennis players at the minute, she is excited about what she can achieve going forward.
Currently ranked 35th in singles, Gauff said, “I’m happy where I’m at but I’m excited to go even further.”
Having turned pro at a time when most players her age would still be finding their feet at Futures events and junior Grand Slams, the American already has some firsts against her name.
Coco Gauff upset Venus Williams in debut Grand Slam at Wimbledon 2019
She is the youngest to be ranked inside the top-100 in the women’s game and won her maiden Tour title at 15, making her the youngest to do so since 2004.
Gauff, partnering fellow American Caty McNally, already has two doubles titles to her credit. This apart from the two junior Grand Slam doubles titles – French Open and US Open in 2018 – that she holds with her partner.
Making waves in her debut Grand Slam, Gauff reached the fourth round of Wimbledon 2019, recording a stunning upset win over seven-time Major champion Venus Williams in the opening round.
She had received a wildcard entry to the Wimbledon that year, the youngest in the tournament’s history to reach the main draw.
Gauff followed up the victory over Venus with another major win against Naomi Osaka in the third round of the Australian Open last year.
Coco Gauff is simply focused on trying her hardest
Reflecting on her progress over the last year, the American said she has been moving a lot more aggressively on court and is more “confident” with the execution of her strokes.
On handling expectations at a young age, Gauff said she tries her best to ignore “outside sources” and focuses on what she expects of herself, which is to try her “hardest every point.”
