‘I could have played better,’ says Coco Gauff after defeat and vows to ‘get back to work’

Coco Gauff made her earliest Grand Slam exit as she went down in three sets against Anastasija Sevastova at the US Open, but promised to “get back to work and get ready for the French Open”.
After brilliant runs during her main draw appearances at Wimbledon and the US Open last year, and the 2020 Australian Open, Gauff hit a speed bump early on at Flushing Meadows this year.
The 16-year-old made a sluggish start as Sevastova dominated the first and, although she recovered to take the second set, the Latvian got the win 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.
Coco Gauff goes down in the first round vs. Anastasija Sevastova at the @usopen. pic.twitter.com/VIDv7Gtmaz
— espnW (@espnW) August 31, 2020
Asked if the lack of fans played a big role in her defeat, Gauff replied: “I don’t really think so. I think I compete just as hard with fans or not. “I could have played better today. Just going to get back to work and get ready for the French Open.
“I mean, right now losses hurt. I mean, I’m disappointed. I’m going to go back to practice tomorrow and hopefully do my best in doubles, then prepare for singles in Europe,” she said.
She added: “I think the break I was able to work on a lot of things that I normally wouldn’t. I mean, it’s common when you’re younger.
“Normally when you’re a younger player, you take training blocks. I don’t think it hurt me so much.
“The main part that hurt was just getting matches under my belt, getting experience. That’s what I need on tour. I’m playing against people older than me who have been in more situations, difficult situations, than I have. I think the biggest thing is I just need experience.”
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official.
Latest
-
ATP Tour
Rafael Nadal on having an opportunity to become world No 1 again: ‘I didn’t expect it’
Rafael Nadal could return to world No 1 next week.
-
WTA Tour
Emma Raducanu teams up with Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in Cincinnati doubles
Nicknames for team Raducanu-Rybakina? Radukina? Rybacanu? Emlena? Elemma?
-
Davis Cup
Andy Murray makes Davis Cup return and hopes to ‘create even more history’ with Great Britain in Glasgow
Great Britain will face United States, Kazakhstan and the Netherlands in the group stage in Glasgow.
-
WTA Tour
Coco Gauff after becoming world No 1 in doubles: ‘Being No 1 is pretty cool. Who wouldn’t want to be No 1?’
Another big milestone for youngster Coco Gauff.
-
WTA Tour
Simona Halep on returning to the WTA top 10: ‘I feel like it’s a big deal, but I am dreaming for more’
Simona Halep on the rise once again.
-
ATP Tour
Daniil Medvedev confronts heckler after ‘loser and nasty’ remarks as Nick Kyrgios slams ‘disgusting behaviour’
“I won’t let anyone shout nasty things at me, I won’t keep silent.”
-
WTA Tour
Emma Raducanu on facing ‘the best player of all time’ Serena Williams: ‘It’s a great gift to play the best’
Emma Raducanu excited to face GOAT Serena Williams.
-
ATP Tour
Pablo Carreno Busta joins the ranks of Masters champions after Montreal fightback
Pablo Carreno Busta is a Masters champion and makes a serious move in the Race to Turin.
-
WTA Tour
Exclusive – Laura Robson leaps to the defence of Emma Raducanu
Former British No 1 Laura Robson is baffled by the inflated expectations Emma Raducanu.
-
ATP Tour
Exclusive – Tim Henman backs Andy Murray to defy his doubters once again
Former British No 1 Henman suggests Murray wins against top players over the last year will encourage him to fight on.