Coco Gauff has started her clay court season at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. The American sees the tournament as a challenging but valuable start. She recognises the Porsche Arena presents some of the WTA Tour’s most difficult conditions due to the indoor clay surface.
Gauff’s Strategy: Focus on Long-Term Goals
Gauff, the reigning French Open champion, is consciously avoiding fixating on titles or ranking points early in the European clay season. Her priority is collaborating with her team on their devised strategy. Gauff said her goals are to focus on the game plan, rather than on immediate results. She draws on past experiences, knowing pressure can quickly mount when defending titles and chasing results.
Stuttgart’s Unique Challenge
Gauff described the surface in Stuttgart as “special, a little bit slippery, and then there’s the indoor component. It’s different for sure”. While she admits she doesn’t automatically feel the most comfortable, she recognises the upside: a quick start here can provide significant confidence for the weeks ahead.
Praise for Porsche Friend Eva Lys
Coco Gauff spoke highly of Porsche Friend Eva Lys, mentioning they practiced together in Stuttgart. She described Lys as not only a wonderful person but also a very good player. Gauff has noticed how close to the baseline Lys plays and how cleanly she hits the ball. Gauff believes that if Lys stays healthy and finds her rhythm, she could rise to the top of the rankings, saying “I think she can beat anyone on any given day.”
Looking Ahead to Roland Garros
Gauff has a level-headed approach to Stuttgart, though she aims high at every tournament, regardless of the competition. At this stage, she’s less concerned with immediate success and more focused on gradually finding her form for Paris. Her schedule, including Stuttgart, Madrid, and Rome, is designed to peak at Roland Garros.
Gauff maintains a positive outlook on the Stuttgart event, despite not yet achieving her best performances there. She said, “This tournament treats me well. I like coming here”. This is why she is following the same path at the start of the clay court season.
The Porsche Tennis Grand Prix is the flagship of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG‘s worldwide involvement in women’s tennis.