"I am a very stubborn person": Coco Gauff shares how she proved her coach wrong by winning Wuhan Open

America’s Coco Gauff has revealed that she participated in the Asian swing to prove her coach wrong. The 21-year-old, who is already regarded as one of the best players in the world, lifted her second title of the year on Sunday in Wuhan.

Gauff came out on top in the final of the Wuhan Open against fellow countrywoman Jessica Pegula in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 7-5. Gauff’s only other title this year was the French Open, where she defeated world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the final with a score of 6-7, 6-2, 6-4.

Talking after the match, Gauff admitted that she decided to come on the Asian tour to prove her coach wrong. Gauff stated that her coach, Jean-Christophe Faurel, wanted her to withdraw from the Asian events after having a disappointing outing at the US Open.

Gauff was knocked out of the fourth and the final Grand Slam of the year after losing in the fourth round to the former world number one, Japan’s Naomi Osaka, in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-2. Gauff also stated that her coach might have asked her to withdraw from the Asian swing events, knowing her stubborn nature well.

"It was a great Asian swing,” said Gauff. “I am going to call JC [Jean-Christophe Faurel] out; he originally did not want me to come because I had a tough US Open. I had to prove him wrong. I am a very stubborn person, so maybe he said that on purpose for me to have a good result here."

The win was an important one for Gauff as it guaranteed her spot in the WTA Finals this year, where she will be defending her title. She defeated China’s Zheng Qinwen with a score of 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 to lift the WTA Finals title last year. Speaking to Arab News, Gauff stated that she is pleased not only to have won the title but also to have qualified for the last major event on the women’s tennis calendar.

“I think it means a lot to me,” said Gauff. “I think it just shows that I’m definitely not falling behind and I want to continue to improve and get higher in the ranking points and do well. For me, just qualifying for the finals, especially a bit early — I consider this early, not having to play the other tournaments, just feels great. This is a prestigious tournament, one that I always look forward to playing and being a part of. I remember I was so tired going into that tournament and I had never played that long into the season, and as grueling as a season before; and then like playing singles and doubles too. When I lost my first match, I was like, OK, it’s fine. I just had the goal to just win one match and it just didn’t happen. And then honestly, right after that, I was like, well, to win this tournament, I have to do so much.”

Gauff then went on to congratulate her opponent in the final, Pegula, who suffered a heartbreaking defeat. It was the third time Pegula lost a final of the competition this year. "I would like to congratulate Jess on an incredible tournament," said Gauff. "You are playing a lot of three-setters, you are a three-set queen, so I was determined not to let you get there today because the odds would be in your favour in the third set. When I came on tour, you were one of the first people to be nice to me and welcome me with open arms, and that really goes a long way. It still goes a long way, so I appreciate you, and it is great to finally play in a final against you and I hope for many more.