Coco Gouf failed to develop her usual strengths as a defensive player, not herself, as a top-rated American during her shocking opening round loss at Dayana Yastremska at Wimbledon on Tuesday.
Leave her second Grand Slam Aryna Sabalenka has a French open title Last month, Gauff admitted that there was no focus on the unseeded Ukrainians after her straight set was defeated. Gauff managed only six winners in the match, suffering nine double faults, paving her way towards 29 powerful errors.
Gauff is the third player since the opening era in 1968 began to win the French Open before losing in the first round at Wimbledon.
“I feel mentally a little overwhelmed by everything that has come since,” Gouf said.
A long grass struggle in Gauff’s career continued in Court No. 1 after losing a tiebreak in the first set and not finding a rhythm.
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Gouf lost shortly after the third in the world, and fellow American Jessica Pegra also got upset in the first round, leaving a women’s draw at Wimbledon early in the first week without threat from the two tops in America.
Gauff’s serve was an early problem and remained throughout the game. Gouf withstanded a serious double fault on the tiebreaker to finish the first set. This is a big mistake that left Yastremska with the best opportunity.
Gauff played from behind early in the second set after Yasternska lost her serve in the first game that was not fooled by consistency issues. It was clear that even though the serve was wide and he was in the net, Gauff wouldn’t attack him on the grass.
“When I work well and I can have some games I’ve done, it’s definitely an additional threat,” Gauff said. “I didn’t serve that well.”
Goff noted Jastremska’s strong play after his defeat, saying “I couldn’t find my footing” on a hot day in London.
“I definitely struggled in the locker room. I don’t like losing,” Goff said. “The main thing is, I’m sure my team and everyone is telling me. That’s what it is.”
Gouf says she doesn’t stick to the upset of the first round, and her focus has already changed to the US Open later this year.
“Losing the first round here () may not be the worst thing in the world,” Goff said.
