J. PAOLINI/C. Gauff
6-4, 6-2
THE MODERATOR: Coco, obviously not the result you wanted today, but back-to-back 1000 finals. How proud are you of this four-week run?
COCO GAUFF: Definitely proud of the two results, but also disappointed. It's a bittersweet feeling. Jasmine played great tennis today. Unfortunately I felt like I didn't bring my best, which I knew I needed today.
Overall a lot to look forward to in Paris.
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. From outside we saw double-faults, unforced errors. I'd like to know how much depends on you and how much the way Jasmine played? Regarding the crowd, finding a solution in this situation with the crowd that was today outside, how tough could be for a player like you?
COCO GAUFF: Yeah, I mean, Jasmine played I think great tennis today. I think it was one of her best levels today. I also didn't play my best level. I think it's both.
It's not to discredit my opponent. She forced me to play that way. Yeah, maybe I could have served better and put more balls in the court, could play better. I definitely could and can.
But she played to win today and she deserved to win.
With the crowd, I mean, they were fine to me. I didn't think they were being disrespectful or anything.
Q. I mean just about you have to find a solution to be focused, but you feel the crowd is supporting the other player. Not about disrespect.
COCO GAUFF: No, you're good.
Yeah, I mean, either way, if the crowd is for you or not necessarily against you, I feel like you have to be focused.
For me, it didn't play a factor in how I played today. I knew going in today it was going to be like that. Last year I played her in the final. Honestly, I thought that was maybe a little bit more rowdier because it was a tiebreaker.
Yeah, I think I expected it. I don't think it changed a result for me today.
Q. Are you slightly concerned about the number of unforced errors and double-faults you're making in matches? It's 55 today, over 70 in the semifinal.
COCO GAUFF: Yeah, I mean, yes and no. I knew today I was trying to be more aggressive because I felt like if I was being passive, she would run me across the court.
Yeah, I think for me I guess, yeah, with the double-faults, it's something I know I have to improve and do better. If I want to make it to the next level, it's definitely something I have to improve.
Unforced errors? I mean, I was just going for my shots. In the semi, I mean, there is context behind that in the semifinal. The court was super slow. We were both missing balls. It's not so easy to hit a winner. The only way to win the points is to force your opponent to make an error or they make an unforced error.
Today I think it was just a tough day for me.
Q. How do you balance the emotion of getting so close and knowing you've had such a good clay season leading into Roland Garros?
COCO GAUFF: Yeah, I think it's both confidence and motivation to do better. Hopefully I can get to the final in Roland Garros and maybe the 'third time is a charm' thing is a real thing. That's looking so far ahead.
Overall I lost to two quality opponents, Aryna in Madrid and Jasmine here. So yeah, I think I have a lot to improve, a lot that I can work on.
I made the final with those errors. Made the final maybe not playing my best tennis. It just gives me confidence if I can find that good form heading into Roland Garros, I can do well there.
Q. You have come up against this big Italian tennis boom, like Jasmine and Jannik. What is it like facing that? What do you think they're doing right here in the Italian Tennis Federation?
COCO GAUFF: Facing the crowd? I mean, I think the crowd helps, speaking from experience, playing in a home crowd. I just know that it gives you that extra push, that extra motivation to do better and cross the finish line. I think that helps.
Obviously Jasmine and Jannik, maybe overall I think they've done a good job with developing their games, specifically Jasmine. I played her a long time ago in Adelaide. I remember her playing a little bit more of a passive game style. Now she's more aggressive.
I think just developing their games and things like that.
Yeah, obviously Jannik, he's one of those talents that I think you just knew he was going to be great since he was young. Obviously that has something to do with the Federation, but I think a lot to do with him being a generational talent as well.
Yeah, I think they have the support that they need here. This facility is great. I'm not sure of the ins-and-outs of it. Yeah, I think it's great.
Hopefully next year I can get a chance to have a different result. I'd love to play her again in the final. That would be cool.
Q. Are you impressed by Jasmine's level in the last two meetings? She won both in two sets.
COCO GAUFF: Yeah, I think she's definitely playing a good level of tennis. On clay, it's hard. The two wins I had were on hard court. It's a little bit different.
Yeah, I think when she's confident, she's playing great tennis. Mid last year obviously she made the two back-to-back Grand Slam finals. She is capable of playing top two, number one in the world tennis.
Obviously I'm disappointed to lose. I mean, she deserved it, so yeah.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports