“I want to win this tournament so bad”: Coco Gauff balances expectations at home event

Coco Gauff opened her Miami Open campaign with a comeback victory againt Elisabetta Cocciaretto, overcoming early control from her opponent and managing physical concerns to progress into the next round. The American dropped the opening set but responded across the final two sets, recovering from a break deficit in the decider to secure the win.

The match reflected both resilience and adaptation. Gauff committed 11 double faults and hit two aces, winning 77 percent of points behind her first serve but just 31 percent on her second. She broke serve five times while conceding four breaks, underlining the fluctuating nature of the contest.

Her path into the tournament had been uncertain. Gauff retired from Indian Wells with a nerve-related issue, raising doubts about her participation in Miami. An injury forced her to retire during her third-round match in Tennis Paradise against Alexandra Eala, when she was being dominated by the Filipina 2-6, 0-2.

Esta vez Gauff se osbrepuso a las dudas en el servicio, advanced and will now face Alycia Parks in the third round. The result continues a season that has already included competitive performances at the highest level, while highlighting her ability to manage matches under less-than-ideal conditions.

Gauff revealed that her participation in Miami was not initially planned, describing the event as an opportunity rather than a fixed target. The decision to compete followed gradual improvement in her physical condition after Indian Wells. “I wasn’t even expecting to play this tournament. I think if it wasn’t Miami, I probably wouldn’t be playing it, so I’m just happy to be able to go out there and compete.”

She described the injury as a nerve-related issue that continues to fluctuate, though with decreasing intensity. While still noticeable at times, she indicated that the condition is manageable and unlikely to affect her long-term schedule. “It was kind of like a weird injury. I think it was a nerve thing, and I still feel it at times. Today I felt it a little bit, but it wasn’t nearly as intense as Indian Wells. It’s been getting less and less every day.”

Gauff added that she has opted against using strapping after testing it in practice, preferring to rely on natural movement rather than adjustments that felt unfamiliar during competition. “I tried practicing with strapping, and it’s just not what I wanted to do. It felt more awkward than helpful, so I decided it’s either no strapping or I’m not playing.”

After a slow start, Gauff identified the need to take greater control of the rallies, adjusting both her positioning and shot selection to disrupt her opponent’s rhythm. She pointed to her footwork as a key factor in stabilising her performance. “I felt like I let her control the tempo too much. Today I was just trying to do more with my racket. I felt like I was practising really well this week, and it didn’t fully translate, but it did when I needed it most.”

Her serving approach also evolved during the match, particularly in the deciding set. By reducing pace and varying placement, Gauff improved consistency and effectiveness under pressure. “I think just slowing down some of the serves and not going for as small of targets helped. It doesn’t always have to be as big as I want it to be all the time.”

Beyond the technical aspects, Gauff emphasised her willingness to engage with difficult match situations, viewing adversity as a necessary component of development. “I enjoy matches like that, where we’re fighting and the momentum keeps changing. I feel like it’s a great test for me to try and fight through it and find my tennis again.”

Competing in Miami provided a different environment for Gauff, who described the event as one where support outweighs pressure. The presence of family, including her brother and grandparents, played a role in her motivation during key moments. “I don’t really feel pressure. I feel more supported at this event. It’s really nice to have the love and support from my family and friends, because I normally don’t get that.”

She highlighted the visible presence of her family in the stands as a source of encouragement, noting that it contributed to her ability to push through physically demanding stages of the match. “Looking up at my box and seeing my family is the most fun and made me want to go the extra mile today.”

Gauff also addressed the balance between ambition and realism, acknowledging that while she wants to compete for the title, her preparation had been limited. Lowering expectations, she suggested, allows her to compete with greater freedom. “I want to win this tournament so bad because it is my home tournament. But I didn’t have the best preparation, so setting expectations lower allows me to free up and not expect too much of myself.”