Coco Gauff began her journey at the Miami Open with an exciting victory, overcoming Elisabetta Cocciaretto in a win that exemplified her resilience and adaptability. Despite losing the first set and facing physical concerns, the young American tennis player turned things around, recovering from a break deficit in the deciding set and advancing to the next stage of the tournament. The match highlighted not only her determination but also her ability to manage difficult moments on the court.
During the match, Gauff committed 11 double faults and hit two aces, showing solid performance by winning 77% of points on her first serve, although only 31% on her second. The athlete broke her opponent’s serve five times, while conceding four breaks, revealing the volatile nature of the encounter.
Her preparation for the Miami Open was marked by uncertainties, as Coco had to withdraw from Indian Wells due to a nerve-related issue, raising questions about her participation in Miami. The injury forced her to retire in the third set against Alexandra Eala, where she was being dominated, but this time, armed with courage, Gauff overcame the challenges and is now set to face Alycia Parks in the third round.
The American tennis player, who is currently experiencing an intense competitive phase, revealed that her participation in the tournament was not planned. “I wasn’t really counting on playing this tournament. I think if it weren’t for Miami, I probably wouldn’t be playing, so I’m just happy to be able to go out and compete,” Gauff stated. She described the injury as a nerve issue that continues to fluctuate but is becoming increasingly manageable. “It was a kind of strange injury. I think it was a nerve issue, and I still feel it sometimes. Today I felt it a bit, but it was nothing compared to what I felt at Indian Wells. It has been getting better every day.”
Coco also decided not to use any bandages during matches, as her experience during training was not positive. “I tried practicing with bandages, but it wasn’t what I wanted to do. I felt more uncomfortable than helped, so I decided that either I played without bandages or not at all.”
After a slow start, the player adjusted her approach, identifying the need to better control the rallies and changing her positioning and shot selection to destabilize her opponent. Gauff pointed to her footwork as a crucial factor in stabilizing her performance. “I felt like I let her control the pace too much. Today, I was trying to do more with my racket. I felt that I trained really well this week, and although it didn’t fully translate, it happened when I needed it most.”
Her service strategy also evolved during the match, especially in the decisive set, where Gauff slowed down the pace and varied her placement, improving her consistency under pressure. “I think just slowing down some of the serves and not looking for such small targets helped. I don’t need to be so aggressive all the time.”
In addition to the technical aspects, Gauff emphasized her willingness to face difficult situations on the court, viewing adversity as an essential part of her development. “I like matches like this, where we’re fighting and the dynamics change. I feel it’s a great test for me to try to overcome that and find my tennis again.”
Competing in Miami provided a unique atmosphere for Gauff, who described the event as a space where support outweighs pressure. The presence of her family, including her brother and grandparents, was a motivating factor during key moments of the match. “I don’t really feel pressure. I feel more supported at this event. It’s really nice to have the love and support of my family and friends because I don’t usually have that.”
She highlighted the importance of this support, stating that looking to her box and seeing her family cheering her on is one of the most rewarding parts, helping her push through the physically demanding moments of the match. “Looking at my box and seeing my family is the most fun part and made me want to go further today.”
Coco Gauff also addressed the need to balance ambition and realism, acknowledging that while she wants to compete for the title, her preparation has been limited. By lowering her expectations, the tennis player suggests that it allows her to compete with greater freedom. “I really want to win this tournament because it’s my home tournament. But I haven’t had the best preparation, so setting lower expectations allows me to play more freely and not expect too much from myself.”
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