“An out-of-body experience”: Gauff on Grand Slam final against Sabalenka
Coco Gauff spoke in her press conference about her memories of previous Slam finals
Coco Gauff (Michtof/PSNewz)
Coco Gauff plays Aryna Sabalenka in the Roland-Garros final on Saturday – the second time the pair have met in a Grand Slam final, following the US Open in 2023.
On that evening, it was Gauff who won her maiden Slam, winning 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 to lift the trophy.
And as she set up a rematch on the Paris clay, she reflected on her memories of that evening 18 months ago.
“Honestly it’s one of those matches I felt like an out-of-body experience. I don’t remember much, to be honest. I do remember at one point I think I hit a backhand cross passing shot, and I felt like that was the momentum switch of the match.
“But I just remember running a lot and, yeah, just fighting for every point. Honestly, I wasn’t that nervous going into that final. Just, I don’t know, I felt like I woke up that day, and I just felt like regardless of what was going to happen, I was going to come out with the win. You don’t always get that feeling when you go on the court, but I did that day.
“Yeah, I don’t remember much, but you know, I just remember kind of feeling like I was holding my breath to the match point.”
Gauff: In 2022, I wrote myself off
Of her previous Roland-Garros final, though, back in 2022, she had more philosophical memories. She was seeded 18th going into the tournament, and was beaten that day 6-1, 6-3 by world No 1 Iga Swiatek.
“My first final here I was super nervous, and I kind of wrote myself off before the match even happened.
“Obviously here I have a lot more confidence just from playing a Grand Slam final before and doing well in one. Yeah, I think going into Saturday I’ll just give it my best shot and try to be as calm and relaxed as possible.
“Yeah, whatever happens, happens, and knowing that I put the best effort forward.”
She added: “I’m sure there are hundreds of players that would kill to win or lose a final, so just knowing that, making me realise how lucky and privileged I am to be in this position. At first I thought it would be the end of the world if I lost, and you know, the sun still rose the next day. So knowing, regardless of the result, the sun will still rise.
“Especially being in a city like Paris, I was walking around the next day, and no one knew that I lost, and no one cared.”
