Coco Gauff gives injury update – ‘Is it serious? Should I keep playing or not?’
Coco Gauff endured a “new experience” during her China Open campaign, but she is hopeful that the injury she picked up is not too serious with her next event just days away.
The US Open champion tasted defeat for the first time in 17 matches on Saturday as her 16-match unbeaten streak came to an end when she went down in straight sets against Iga Swiatek in the semi-final of the WTA 1000 tournament.
Four-time Grand Slam winner Swiatek broke twice in the first set and again in the opening game of the second set before Gauff took a medical timeout to receive treatment on her right shoulder. The Pole eventually wrapped up the match 6-2, 6-3.
Gauff admitted during a her post-match press conference that she initially started feeling pain in her shoulder during her quarter-final win over Maria Sakkari on Friday before the injury flared up again during the last-four match.
“I’m not the type to call the physiotherapist. My coach recommended that I do it. It helped. But it’s really a new experience. I’m not used to playing with pain in general,” the teenager said.
“From what I’ve been told, it’s not a terrible injury. With a little rest, you’ll be fine. But yes, it’s hard to live in circumstances you’re not used to.”
She added: “When you’re experiencing pain… your whole mind starts (thinking), ‘Is it serious? Should I keep playing or not?'”
Defeat means Gauff will have an extra rest day, but she will be back in action on Wednesday as she will play compete at the Zhengzhou Open.
The 19-year-old will face either Petra Martic or Magda Linette in the second round of the WTA 500 event while she is projected to meet sixth seed Caroline Garcia in the quarter-final.
After the Zhengzhou event, she will take a short break before heading to Cancun, Mexico, for the WTA Finals, where she will make her second appearance.
Gauff has already won four titles this year as she notched up the ASB Classic trophy at the start of the year before winning her maiden WTA 500 event at the Citi DC Open. She then won her first WTA 1000 title at the Cincinnati Open before lifting the US Open in September.
“I’m very proud of myself. I think I still have a lot of things to improve. That’s what makes me excited for next year. After WTA Finals, I’ll have a few more weeks to train and improve. I notice that my game improves every time I take a two-week break to train.”
READ MORE: WTA Zhengzhou Open draw: No rest for Coco Gauff as she learns fate for next event
