Coco Gauff is full of optimism heading into the clay court season as she targets a maiden French Open crown, but the American said her immediate focus is on ending her trophy drought.
Gauff last won a clay court title at the Emilia Romagna Open in 2021, a year before losing in the Roland Garros final to Iga Swiatek.
The 20-year-old will have the chance to end that barren run in Stuttgart this week, with tournaments in Madrid and Rome also on the horizon before the second Grand Slam of the year.
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Gauff enjoys a game of Spikeball with his brother Cameron and his team
“For the clay court season this year, I’m really optimistic,” she said. “Obviously the goal is to win the French Open, but that’s the case every season for any top player. Your goals should be to try to win the big tournaments.
“But I’m not looking at Roland Garros at the moment. I’m focusing on Stuttgart. I want to try to win Madrid or Rome or here… I just want to get a recent clay court title under my belt. So whatever which one of those in the next few weeks would be good.”
The US Open champion has added former coach Jean-Cristophe Faurel to her squad alongside Brad Gilbert, as she looks to add to her major record in Paris.
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Fans sing to celebrate Gauff’s 20th birthday
Gauff posted good results on clay with Faurel in his corner, notably winning the 2018 Roland Garros junior title.
“It’s good to have someone in my team who has known me since I was young and knows me well,” added Gauff, who stopped working with the Frenchman in 2020.
“So I’m really excited to have him back on the team.”
The French Open main draw begins on May 26, with Gauff aiming to go one better than her quarter-final appearance last year.
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A look back at Gauff’s first Grand Slam victory at the US Open
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