"I feel like I got a little bit more experience to my counterparts": Gauff hopes young stardom can help but still a lot to learn

Coco Gauff is confident in her chances at the 2023 French Open, drawing on her experience at the professional level.

The American player believes she has an advantage over other players her age due to her experience. Coco Gauff's name has been making headlines in the world of tennis and WTA tournaments for several years. The young player won her first title at the 2019 Linz Open at the age of just 15, and at 19, she already seems like an established player despite her youth.

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Ranked No. 6 in the world, Gauff spoke about her experience in France, where she has been training at the Patrick Mouratoglou Academy for many years:

"I had the opportunity to train in Paris at the Mouratoglou Academy when I was 10 years old, and I've been coming to France pretty much every year since 10 years old. So I'm very familiar with the red clay and the French way, I guess. So I think that's why I feel comfortable playing here in Paris,” said Gauff.

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The former doubles world No. 1 reflected on her past at the French Open, particularly considering her impressive performance in the 2022 edition where she reached the final but was defeated by the seemingly unstoppable Iga Swiatek.

"It gives me a lot of confidence obviously, going into this tournament. But, you know, it's in the past. So I'm just looking forward to the present and staying in the present,” Gauff added.

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"I do feel like, for someone my age, I feel like I got a little bit more experience to my counterparts that are similar in age,” she explained. “I think it obviously came from being on tour from a young age. So I definitely learned the ropes a little bit early. But sometimes I have to take a step back and remind myself of my age and remind myself not to be perfect all the time. But it's hard to adjust to that mentality," she concluded.