“Everything feels good” – Gauff riding the Madrid wave after thrashing Swiatek
The American gave her thoughts after dominating the world No 2
Laurent Lairys / Psnewz
Coco Gauff was in supreme form against the defending Madrid champion, Iga Swiatek, victorious 6-1, 6-1 in just 64 minutes – before speaking in her press conference about how she was able to break the clay ‘hump’ against the Pole.
Coming into the encounter, Swiatek had won all five meetings on the surface – including two in 2024. Additionally, the American became the second youngest WTA singles player to reach the Madrid final (after Caroline Wozniacki).
“I’m just, like it’s always funny when I see like ‘the youngest’ stats, because I’m like, I thought they would go away now that I’m 21, but, you know, I’ll ride it as long as I can,” joked Gauff. “But, yeah, overall I’m just happy to be in the final of this tournament. I’ve been coming here, and I don’t think I’ve ever made it out of the fourth round, so just happy to improve and reach this stage.
“I mean, obviously she [Swiatek] is very talented and can make you run and move you around the court. And I just tried to not do that today, which is what I did all the times that I, or tried to do all the times that I played her. Obviously I’ve gotten a lot better since maybe our first couple times playing each other, and obviously the results are showing that. Not that she hasn’t gotten better either, obviously she’s doing great, too. I just feel like it’s one of those days you just step on court and everything feels good, and today was that day for me.”
Gauff later continued: “Yeah, I will say maybe I prefer first-time matchups just because it doesn’t feel repetitive. But, yeah, Iga and I, like, I’m like, Oh, my gosh, I cannot believe we played each other this many times. I’m 21 and I think she’s 22 or 23, so we’re going to be, and this is, like we’re so young, and we both at least have, like, I would say, 10 more years in this game.
So I wouldn’t be surprised if we, I feel like we’re going to end up having the record for most times playing against each other ever in tennis history honestly at this point.
But, yeah, so I think I prefer the fresh matchups, but also like, I mean, the last, yeah, I don’t mind playing someone over and over again. But now I’m on the winning side of things, so it feels better than when I was 0-8 and stuff like that.”
I feel like we’re going to end up having the record for most times playing against each other.
In Saturday’s showpiece match, Gauff will face either Aryna Sabalenka or Elina Svitolina – leading the head-to-head against both.
“I don’t have any preference, honestly, they’re both tough opponents,” answered the world No 3. “Obviously Aryna [Sabalenka] is world No. 1, so it would be cool to play her in the final and give myself that challenge. But also Elina has been on tour and very consistent and she always, every time I play her we have tough matches. Same with Aryna. So either way is going to be a tough match, I have no preference.”
If the American does, indeed, win the final, she will leapfrog the Pole and return to the world No 2 spot.
