"One of those people that just mediate the whole situation" - Coco Gauff explains how mother's calming presence helped during Indian Wells 4R match
Coco Gauff opened up about her mother, Candi's calming influence and positivity that often help her during tournaments, and which also played a key role in her tense Indian Wells fourth-round win against Rebecca Peterson on Tuesday. The American youngster also revealed that her mother's composed nature helped her coach and father, Corey, navigate the tension during her 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 win against Peterson.
Gauff, who celebrated turning 19 earlier this week by sealing a spot in her maiden Indian Wells quarter-final, was joined by her mother only this Monday as she flew in to celebrate her daughter's birthday. However, Candi's first experience of watching her play this week was not ideal as Gauff and Jessica Pegula lost their doubles Round of 16 match on Monday.
Gauff joked that she almost did not allow her mother to attend her singles match after the doubles loss.
"Yeah, it was great. Almost thought she was a black cat because we lost in doubles yesterday and then I was losing today. I was like, yeah, you're not coming. No, I'm just kidding," Coco Gauff said during her press conference after the win against Peterson.
Jokes aside, Gauff was thrilled to enjoy the presence of someone who "knows me probably better than anyone" as her Indian Wells campaign enters its business end. The World No. 6 said that her father would not be able to keep his composure without her mother beside him as they watched their daughter compete and get through the match.
"No, she's great. She knows me very well," Gauff continued. "I think she knows me probably better than anyone. She always has such a positive attitude. She keeps my dad calm too in the box. I don't think he would have gotten through today if she wasn't sitting next to him."
"Yeah, she's like one of those people that just mediate the whole situation and I'm glad that she was able to make it out," she added.
Courtesy of her fourth-round win, Gauff set up a blockbuster quarterfinal clash with world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka, who beat another title contender in Barbora Krejcikova 6-3, 2-6, 6-4.
"Taking each match and really learning from it instead of dwelling on it" - Coco Gauff reveals key to her consistency
Coco Gauff has now made at least the quarterfinals in four of her first five tournaments this season, including a run to the ASB Classic title ahead of the Australian Open. Throwing light on her improving levels of consistency on tour while still only 19, Gauff revealed that it has stemmed from her ability to overcome losses a lot faster than earlier.
The American star said that, with time, she has understood how to learn from losses instead of dwelling on them.
"A lot of times after losses I would carry that loss from the previous week into the next week. I think I'm doing better at every setting and just taking each match and really learning from it instead of dwelling on it," Coco Gauff explained.
While Gauff will take on a highly in-form Sabalenka next, she will take confidence from the fact that she has beaten the second seed thrice in four matches so far, including both their last two matches against each other. They last played at the 2022 Canadian Open, where Gauff won the Round of 16 clash in three sets.