Coco Gauff made an interesting observation following her US Open exit as the American suggested that she "put too much pressure" on herself when there was no need to do that at just 21 years old.
In March, the American tennis star celebrated her 21st birthday. Two months later, the world No. 3 claimed her maiden French Open title and overall her second Grand Slam.
Since then, it has been a rough ride for Gauff, who is only 7-5 post-French Open. Most disappointingly for the American, she didn't manage to do well in the last two Grand Slams - she exited Wimbledon in the first round and saw her US Open campaign end in the round-of-16 after Naomi Osaka handed her a 6-3 6-2 loss.
In her post-match press conference, the home star indicated that after winning the French Open, she may have put some unrealistic expectations on herself.
Gauff: I put so much pressure on myself at 21
Its been a tough post-French Open for me, for sure. I know the improvements that I need to make, and I feel like Im making the right decision by making them. I feel like I put so much pressure on myself at my age, at 21, and I realize how much the girls on tour are being successful at 25, 26, at those ages," the 21-year-old explained.
"For me it just gets me excited to realize if I have four more years of just working as hard as I am right now, and actually doing the right things, where my game could be. It has obviously improved in the last four years. ... So I think if I can make that same jump of improvement, its a lot to be excited (about) for the future.
At 21, Gauff has nine titles in her collection, including two Grand Slams and the 2024 WTA Finals title. Also, the American achieved a career-high ranking of No. 2 for the first time last year. Needless to say, she achieved a massive success at 21.
