"I want to strive for more and I don't want to only win one": Grand Slam hunger drives Coco Gauff as 2024 begins
WTA
Coco Gauff
shared her aspirations for the 2024 season and emphasized that she won't settle
for winning just one Grand Slam throughout her career. A remarkable streak at
the end of 2023 earned her three titles: her first WTA 500 (Washington), first
WTA 1000 (Cincinnati Open), and her maiden Grand Slam (US Open) within just six
weeks.
At 19 years
old, much is still expected from the world No. 3, who will kick off her season
at the ASB Classic on January 1st as the top seed, facing her compatriot Claire
Liu (world No. 98) in the opening match. Upon her arrival in Auckland, she
reflected on her impressive finish in 2023 and her first Grand Slam: “I felt
like I had a clock and I needed to win as a teenager," said Coco Gauff.
The young American swiftly made a name for herself on the WTA Tour after
defeating the 5-times Wimbledon champion Venus Williams in the first round of
Wimbledon in 2019 at just 15 years old. Since then, the spotlight has been on
Gauff, and she finally secured the coveted Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows:
"Just for how I started, with Wimbledon and everything, I felt like I just
needed to."
Rise and ambitions of Coco Gauff
"Not with anyone's expectations from my team, but fans and people who
watch the game.” She also recalled the US Open final against Aryna Sabalenka,
who was guaranteed to be the world No. 1 at the end of the tournament:
"That feeling I felt on match point was a high, and I want to continue to
chase that high," said Gauff.
The moment that changed Gauff at the end of the season was Wimbledon, as
she mentioned when, as the 7th seed, she couldn't surpass the first round,
falling to the former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin: "After
Wimbledon, I reached the lowest point of my career, losing that match,"
Gauff said.
"Learning
from it helped me push forward and I think sometimes you need those setbacks to
push you forward,” she added. "Not to wake me up, because I felt like I
always was awake, but realise that maybe you should put less pressure on every
single match," Coco Gauff concluded.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- I predicted whenthe list was finalised that Linda Noskova would win the WTA Finals and her matches against Gauff and Kostyuk prove that. She is the best (underrated) player in the world!Rapunzel11-11-2026
- Either Lena has a chronic internal ailment (i.e., colitis, enteritis, Crohn's, or some type of lower abdomen issue) -- or she is once again dealing with 'Vukovitis'. Mental stress can indeed cause lower body pains. No matter... whatever is truly going on sucks. "Virus" excuse is getting a bit old -- and often -- at this point.
mandoist09-11-2026 - Ironically, Martina became a U.S. Citizen about the same time as the Orange Convicted Felon & Abuser was just beginning on his road to losing all Daddy's Millions!!mandoist09-11-2026
- "Another fresh start is in the cards." Thanks for the Humor!! I'm guessing this is the minimum one can do to keep all your sponsors hanging-on in perpetuity?mandoist09-11-2026
- Vukov is doing this to Lena... AGAIN!!!!! WTA's autonomous collective should be dismantled for allowing Vukov to re-emerge from his hand-slapping suspension. Just ask WTA employees how that's been going lately as they witness his continued verbal abuses. Women's Pro Tennis should start over.mandoist08-11-2026
- Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??mandoist08-11-2026
- Wtf? Why is there no reason? And what about the men's?Bel08-11-2026
- One step by another step -- WTA continues to 'lose the plot'. Too many hi-tech microphones being installed at most venues!!! Remove them (especially those along the hallways, sidewalks, and pathways throughout the venues. Not to mention (most of all) remove the mic's from the Players/Coaches Box.mandoist06-11-2026
- Enough of her bullshit. Go marry someone.mandoist06-11-2026
- Don't you just love this young lady!? We fans often expect athletes to be supermen and superwomen, often forgetting that they WILL GET TIRED! I love Alex's perspective. Tiredness for an athlete should never be viewed as a negative, especially if you are healthy, taking care of your body and mental health and putting in the work. What a mature perspective. Good for you, Alex!Rapunzel05-11-2026
