2024-11-08 03:59:00
Polish fans were already looking forward to the hit semi-final of the WTA Finals with the participation of Iga Świątek and Aryna Sabalenka, but Coco Gauff was not among the top four in the last group match, and the Belarusian’s opponent will be the American. If both tennis players perform at the level they showed just a few days ago, a tennis feast is in store. And both will probably want to avoid the costly moments of weakness that occurred in two of their most memorable fights so far.
Gauff thanked those who doubted her. Sabalenka’s laughter, tears and fury
– I don’t know how I managed to turn the tide of this match – Gauff admitted right after the 2023 US Open final, in which she defeated Sabalenka 2:6, 6:3, 6:2.
The Belarusian was the favorite and initially she did a great job, but after the first set she dominated, she started making many simple mistakes, and the 19-year-old from the USA took advantage of it and won the first Grand Slam title in her career. It ended a great summer, because a little earlier she won two prestigious WTA events. And during the decoration after her success in New York, she not only thanked for the support, but also for… the lack of faith.
– A month ago I won a 500-rank tournament and I heard people saying that I wouldn’t win anything else. Then I won the “thousander” and again many people said that this was the limit of my abilities. Now I have won a Grand Slam title. Those who thought that they would extinguish my fire with negative comments only added fuel, said the teenager, who for several years had been under pressure to quickly follow in the footsteps of the legendary sisters Serena and Venus Williams.
With her triumph at last year’s US Open, she improved her mood after her first attempt at a Grand Slam final. In the decisive match of Roland Garros 2022, Iga Świątek was definitely better, and during her subsequent speech, Gauff wiped tears of disappointment. A little over a year later in New York, she cried with joy, and Sabalenka had to swallow the bitterness of defeat.
The Belarusian woman, known for her jokes, tried to cover up her bitterness with humor at the beginning of the decorations. When she wiped her first tears at the beginning of her speech and the audience applauded her, she said with a laugh: – You could have supported me like that during the match. After a while, when asked about sharing this important moment in her career [po raz pierwszy awansowała do finału US Open i po tym turnieju zadebiutowała jako liderka światowego rankingu] she couldn’t say a word for almost a minute. She was laughing and holding back more tears at the same time. She cried harder right after she apologized to her loved ones for the result of the match. Finally, she joked again when, after thanking the staff, she said: – They know they will be fired after this tournament.
Then sadness was replaced by anger. As Gauff continued to celebrate her success with her loved ones and give more interviews, Sabalenka went to the locker room. She put her bag on the floor, where they would receive a plaque for participating in the finals, took out a racket from the bag and hit it four times on the floor. She then threw the damaged equipment into the trash bin.
“I really wanted this rematch.” Gauff helped Sabalenko accelerate one success
Gauff waited a little over four months for her next match – they met in the semi-finals of the next Grand Slam tournament – the Australian Open. The Belarusian, who was defending her title in Melbourne, did not hide her joy at such a scenario.
– After the US Open, I really wanted this rematch. It was a great match, and Coco and I always have great, great battles, she announced before this match.
A great spectacle could be expected, because on the one hand there was Sabalenka, who was doing very well in this tournament, and on the other hand, Gauff, who had won all 10 matches in the season up to that point. But in the semi-final, nerves initially played a major role on both sides. The player from Minsk coped better with them, winning 7:6, 6:4 and defending her title two days later. And she made up for the painful failure at the 2023 US Open 12 months later, winning the event and achieving her third Grand Slam triumph.
Both of these tennis players had a very successful autumn in common. At that time, they faced each other in the semi-finals in Wuhan – Sabalenka won in three sets. The balance of their eight matches so far is a draw, and on Friday in the WTA Finals semi-final, one of them will tip the scales in her favor. During last year’s edition of the Masters, the Belarusian lost the title of first racket in the world to Świątek. During this year, she assured herself that for the first time in her career she would be her at the end of the season. She was helped in this by Gauff, who defeated the Pole in the group stage. But you can be sure that Sabalenka will not give her a discount for this now. She does not hide the fact that she would like to end the best season of her career with her first triumph in the WTA Finals.
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#Sabalenka #burst #tears #viral #world
**Interview with Coco Gauff: Preparing for the WTA Finals Semifinal Against Aryna Sabalenka**
**Interviewer:** Coco, thank you for joining us today. With your upcoming match against Aryna Sabalenka in the WTA Finals semifinal, how are you feeling as you approach this rematch?
**Coco Gauff:** Thank you for having me! I’m feeling excited, but also focused. Aryna and I have shared some intense matches, and I know she’s going to bring her best game. This is a huge opportunity, and I want to make the most of it.
**Interviewer:** You’ve had quite a journey since your victory at the US Open. How have you been managing the expectations that come with being a Grand Slam champion now?
**Coco Gauff:** It’s been a mix of emotions, honestly. Winning that title was such a dream come true, especially after feeling the disappointment at Roland Garros in 2022. I’ve learned that the pressure is part of the game, but it can fuel me too. I try to stay grounded and remember why I love playing.
**Interviewer:** In your last match against Aryna, you turned the tide dramatically after the first set. What do you think will be key factors in this upcoming match to avoid those costly moments of weakness?
**Coco Gauff:** Staying focused and maintaining momentum will be crucial. In the past, we’ve both had our moments of letting the match slip away. This time, I’ll need to capitalize on any mistakes she makes while minimizing my own. It’s about finding that balance and keeping my head in the game.
**Interviewer:** After your win at the US Open, you thanked those who doubted you. Do you still feel that skepticism motivates you?
**Coco Gauff:** Absolutely. It pushes me to prove people wrong. I think it’s important to use any negativity as motivation rather than let it weigh you down. I know I have what it takes, and those moments only make me want to work harder and perform better.
**Interviewer:** Aryna expressed some bittersweet emotions after your last encounter. Do you think that adds extra motivation for her in this semifinal?
**Coco Gauff:** Definitely. She’s a fierce competitor and will want to turn the tables this time around. Emotions can be tricky in matches like these, but I expect her to come out strong and ready to fight. I’ll need to match that intensity.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what message would you like to send to your fans as you head into this pivotal match?
**Coco Gauff:** I just want to say thank you to everyone who has supported me! Your encouragement means the world to me. I’ll be giving it my all on the court, and I hope to make you all proud!
**Interviewer:** Best of luck, Coco! We’re all excited to watch you compete.
**Coco Gauff:** Thank you! Can’t wait to get out there!