"He’s from Spain, we’re working on his English": Gauff explains meaning of 'external focus' in player box with reference to Rafael Nadal
WTA
America’s young tennis star Coco Gauff has revealed how she
is trying to help her coach understand the meaning of ‘external focus’.
The 19-year-old is one of the most highly-rated young players
in the circuit and despite being so young, it seems that she has been around
for some time.
Gauff, while talking after winning the semifinal of the Citi
DC Open against Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova in straight sets with a score of
6-3, 6-3, stated how she is trying her coach to understand the meaning of ‘external
focus’ in players box with reference to former world number one Rafael Nadal.
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“My coach doesn’t know the difference between external &
internal focus,” she said. “Top players like Rafa [Nadal] have external focus.
He thinks they have internal. He’s from Spain. We’re working on his English.”
Gauff’s impressive run at the Citi DC Open — where she is
now scheduled to face Greece’s Maria Sakkari in the final on Sunday — will give
her fans a lot of hope going into the final Grand Slam of the year which is
set to begin in less than a month’s time.
The Atlanta-born does not have a great record while playing
at the US Open where her best outing is reaching the quarterfinal last year
where she was defeated by France’s Caroline Garcia in straight sets with a
score of 6-3, 6-4.
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.
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