“People forget my age”: Coco Gauff opens up about expectations and growing on Tour

The 21-year-old American was asked about Mirra Andreeva’s breakthrough and whether she had any advice for the rising star, but Gauff reminded the press that she’s still a young player herself.

World No. 3 Gauff made her first appearances on the tour at just 14 years old, winning her first WTA title at 15. She’s spent several seasons among the best in the world, reaching her first Grand Slam final at the 2022 French Open when she was only 18.

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Although Gauff fell to Iga Swiatek in that final, she got her revenge at the 2023 US Open, where she claimed the title by defeating Aryna Sabalenka in one of the best matches of the season.

However, the player of the moment is undoubtedly Mirra Andreeva, who at just 17 years old has claimed back-to-back WTA 1000 titles. While Gauff has far more experience, with over 340 official matches, nine titles, and nine additional finals, she refused to offer any public advice to the young Russian.

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“When I was in her position, I never really liked people to give me public advice. Just say it to my face. … I’m only four years older than her so there’s not much I could tell her that she doesn’t already know. … She’s a talented player, has an all-court game and is confident.”

“Because I started so young, I think people forget my age so maybe I’m not given the same amount of grace others are given on tour."

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Recent results haven’t gone Gauff’s way. She suffered early exits in Dubai and Doha, as well as a fourth-round loss to Belinda Bencic at Indian Wells. Despite this, she insists she doesn’t feel any extra pressure heading into Miami, where she’s the third seed and the top-ranked American in the draw.

“I don’t think it’s pressure for me regarding playing here or somewhere else,’’ Gauff said. “There’s going to be people supporting me. I’ve always had to play tough players here. It’s a tough tournament coming off the part of the season with four 1000s in a row. It’s a bit difficult but I feel really refreshed. Even though I lost early at Indian Wells it’s kind of giving me more time to hopefully get better and have a successful week here.”

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“I still feel young in life. Honestly, I guess on tour I feel middle aged. It has been six years since I’ve been on tour, but I’m still 21, which also [means] I make 21-year-old mistakes. I should be there at 21, but most of the girls doing well right now and striving are older.”

“I’m like chilling,’’ Gauff stated. “I’m honestly not happy with the past few results but it’s just one of those things. In my whole history of my career I’ve had ups and downs … If I wasn’t a top-5 player it wouldn’t be a conversation. That comes along with being at the top. You’re expected to win, and I expect myself to win.

“There’s good weeks and bad weeks. That’s just life in general. I’d love to be perfect and perform perfectly all the time but unfortunately, it’s not like that. So, I strive for perfection, knowing that I won’t reach it, but I try to get as close to it as possible.”

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