Coco Gauff has responded after suffering a shock opening-round exit in Doha. The world No. 3 suffered her earliest defeat since Wimbledon last summer as Katerina Siniakova sent her packing. But she’s ready to bounce back in Dubai this week after writing off the loss as a “bad day at the office”.
Gauff enjoyed a strong start to the season, defending her title in Auckland and reaching the Australian Open semi-final. So it came as a massive upset when she was ousted in her first match at the WTA 1000 in Doha last week, going out 6-2 6-4 to world No. 39 Siniakova.
The early exit gave the 19-year-old time to enjoy some time away from the tennis court as she enjoyed a trip to the desert before heading to Dubai for the next WTA 1000 tournament of the season. While she was happy to have the experience, Gauff has already made it clear that she intends to compete as much as possible, as long as she’s healthy.
Reflecting on the one-sided defeat, the seven-time title winner said: “It’s not that I was too bothered by the last loss, it was just a bad day at the office, I won’t let that define how things are going to go for me this week.
“In Doha I lost in the first match because I didn’t play that well, maybe if I had played better and still lost, it would be different.” While some players needed to take some time to digest their defeats, Gauff explained that she wanted to pack her schedule and compete as much as she could.
She added: “These moments are where you have to be able to maintain perspective. For example, if after a loss you feel like you have to skip a tournament, do so. In my case I will always try to play as much as I can, as long as I am healthy.”
Gauff’s pledge to fill her schedule comes as the WTA has updated their schedule and requirements on tournaments that players must commit to. There are now 10 WTA 1000s and 21 mandatory events, something that could be seen as too intense given the demanding nature of the tennis tour.
But the 19-year-old has no issue with the changes, as she is still getting used to the full tennis season after spending the majority of her career restricted by how much she could compete when she was under 18. “I am always adapting to the tour, playing more tournaments each time,” Gauff explained.
“The season before last season was the first that I was able to play in full, so I am still learning the issue of mandatory situations. I try not to change things too much, nor do I usually base it on my results.”
Gauff is hoping to have a more successful week in Dubai, where she is the third seed. The American received a bye directly into the second round where she will face lucky loser Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
