"When you least expect it to, it happens" - Coco Gauff compares French Open 2024 doubles triumph to winning US Open 2023 after 'really bad year'
Coco Gauff recently drew parallels between her victory at the 2024 French Open doubles and Katerina Siniakova's triumph at the 2023 US Open singles, which came after having a "really bad year." Both of these Grand Slam titles were Gauff's first Major titles in her career.
Gauff had partnered up with eight-time Grand Slam doubles champion Siniakova after her original partner, Jessica Pegula, had to withdraw from the clay court Major due to an injury.
The fifth-seeded American-Czech duo defeated the Italian pair of Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini with a score of 7-6(5), 6-3 in one hour and 47 minutes at Court Philippe Chatrier to claim the French Open doubles title.
During the post-match press conference, Coco Gauff was asked about her feelings on winning both a singles and doubles Grand Slam title. The World No. 2 had won her singles Grand Slam title at the US Open last year.
In response, Gauff admitted that she had not anticipated winning the doubles title at Roland Garros as she had previously lost in the finals in Grand Slam doubles events.
"Yeah doubles, I definitely didn't think it would happen to me to be frank. I think that was like one of the few times in my life after I lost the first two finals I was like okay well you know I reached to that point maybe I should focus on singles," Gauff said [6:46].
Coco Gauff expressed that winning the doubles title was an unexpected, yet pleasant surprise. She then compared her French Open doubles victory to her US Open singles triumph last year, where she defeated Aryna Sabalenka to claim the title. She stated that she was thrilled after winning the New York Slam despite having a challenging 2023.
Reflecting on her success, Gauff stated that it was important for an individual to stay relaxed as good things can happen unexpectedly.
"But yeah I think it's just one of those things that just, when you least expect it to happen it happens. Same thing in the US Open. When I won, I didn't expect to win. I was having a really bad year and then here I didn't even expect to play. So I think it's funny how life teaches you those lessons, that sometimes it's better just to be relaxed and good things will happen," she added [7:01].
Coco Gauff on playing French Open 2024 with Katerina Siniakova: "Was kind of last-minute thrown out because of Jessica Pegula's injury"
Coco Gauff had revealed that her plan for this year at the 2024 French Open was to play doubles with an American partner and in turn also prepare for the upcoming 2024 Olympics in Paris.
"Really, I was trying to find an American to play with because Jessie pulled out, and obviously the Olympics are going to be here. My whole plan at the start of the year was to try to play with somebody I could potentially play with at the Olympics," Coco Gauff said.
Gauff stated that after Jessica Pegula's withdrawal, she had agreed to team up with Katerina Siniakova, a seasoned doubles player, at the last minute. This decision was made to gain more experience in doubles play before the Summer Games.
Coco Gauff also praised the playing style of herself and Siniakova together, stating that they were able to navigate challenging situations and perform well as a team.
"That was kind of last-minute thrown out because of Jess's injury. Every match I think we played really well, even when we weren't playing so well we found a way to get out of it. We both did a good job of just staying calm and being aggressive and playing our tennis. She [Siniakova] did a good job of winning those long rallies," she added.