Coco Gauff seemingly doesn't have much expectation for her Beijing title defense as the world No. 3 admits she "does not feel like the defending champion" and suggests she will use the event as "a practice tournament."
As you probably know, Gauff lifted her second Grand Slam title at the French Open. But since then, it has been a rough couple of months for the American tennis star, which led to a coaching shakeup just before the US Open and adding a biomechanics coach to help her fix her serving woes.
At the US Open, Gauff was evidently thinking too much about her serve and just being focused on not making too many errors. Still, the home star reached the round-of-16 before losing to Naomi Osaka. Now, in what will be her second tournament since hiring biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan, the 21-year-old is keeping her expectations low.
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Gauff: I don't feel like the defending Beijing champion... It will be like a practice tournament
Although technically Im the defending champion [in Beijing], it doesnt feel like that at all. I dont want to say not care because obviously Im not playing a tournament and trying to lose or anything... But yeah, there is definitely a weight that you kind of just dont care in a way, especially when youve had like a good moment of the season. I think winning the French Open helped me take that weight off less," the world No. 3 explained.
I think last year, I did care, but maybe I felt a little bit like I had to do something, because I hadnt won a big title at that point, at that time of the year yet. I dont know how I feel right now. I definitely feel a lot lighter. It feels, again, like a practice tournament. So well see how it goes.
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In some way, Gauff's statement makes sense as she is aware that she needs time to implement changes to her new serve and have it clicking. Before that happens, the American will likely keep her expectations low.
After a first-round bye in Beijing, No. 2 seed Gauff will take on either Lucia Bronzetti or Kamilla Rakhimova in the second round.
