An interview with:
COCO GAUFF
THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the Media Day press conference for Coco Gauff. Questions in English.
Q. In terms of the turnaround from Beijing to Wuhan, I don't think there's one that compares to what you've done in the past.
COCO GAUFF: Yeah.
Q. What do you think is going to be the challenge for you?
COCO GAUFF: This is the first time doing it, which is why I wanted to play, just to see.
Honestly, there's no challenge. I'm just taking it day by day. Last week was treating it like practice. I think even more so now just because it was, like, two long weeks in Beijing. Here it's a quick turnaround. Only hit once today. I play tomorrow.
Yeah, I think it's just handling the conditions. The result right now, whether it's good or bad, it is what it is. I think these are the weeks on tour that you kind of just treat as like practice.
Q. I'm wondering at the end of the season do you feel, I cannot wait for it to be over so I can reset and prepare the next, or I would love it to be a bit longer because I'm starting to figure some things out?
COCO GAUFF: No, I'm ready for it to be over (smiling).
Yeah, I'm working on things. It's kind of just, like, getting through these tournaments. Last week's results, I don't think anybody on the team was expecting it, even me, until the final. Then it's like, Okay, you're there.
I'm not like extending this part. I want to get a good pre season in to get ready for next year. But it is great to play some good tennis after not playing so great for the past few weeks. So yeah...
Q. We always talk about changing of coaches. I'm wondering what was your mindset. Do you feel maybe there's been too much talk about the team and what you need to change or not?
COCO GAUFF: I don't know what talk has been said. But yeah, I have Matt on the team with me now.
Yeah, I mean, obviously people get their opinions on what you should and shouldn't do. People don't realize people have great moments in sports and bad moments. It doesn't mean anything. I took inspiration from A'ja Wilson. Back to back champions. People wanted them to three peat. She's kind of like, It's hard to stay winning all the time. You need to go through losses to realize what you need to do to evolve. Tennis fans need to be more accepting of that.
I think people think, She had a terrible season, blah, blah, blah. Okay, I made two semis and a slam. I won a title. Didn't feel so bad to me. People need to realize there's good moments and bad moments.
When the season is as long as it is, it's very hard to play great tennis from January to November. People do it, but it's hard to do it year in, year out. There's obviously going to be a bad two tournaments, then you're able to pick it back up. I think all the players understand that, but maybe not the fans as much.
Q. With your mom, a lot of the pictures of her celebrating alongside you in Beijing, dancing. Can you talk a little bit about what she brings to you when she's on the road with you, kind of what support she has been through ups, downs.
COCO GAUFF: Yeah, I mean, both my parents are constant support all the time. My mom, it's just a motherly thing. There's nothing like a mother daughter relationship. Especially in swings like Asia where it maybe is more isolated than usual, we just play Uno lot.
We actually didn't argue. Yesterday I think was the first time we argued a little bit because we spend too much time with each other. It wasn't an argument, but we just get annoyed (smiling).
Other than that, it's great to have my mom. She's my biggest fan for sure. Having one or both of my parents I think always makes the tournament easier. You don't have to take care of some things. She's always reminding, me, Do you have your headphones, change of shoes, clothes? Just things that moms, dads, they all do. I don't think I'll ever grow out of that as long as they're alive.
THE MODERATOR: Question in Chinese.
Q. We understand when you were a junior, you achieved a lot. After the Olympics a lot of Chinese teenagers are interested in joining tennis. Do you have any suggestions to Chinese teenagers?
COCO GAUFF: Yeah, I think for me like the advice I have just for any tennis player, but especially Chinese, I think me growing up as a black woman in America, not having seen that much representation in the sport of tennis, where it was just Serena and Venus, I think really pay attention to the people playing in the sport.
It's great to see Qinwen doing well on tour. Pay attention to your idols, try to emulate, but not an exact copy. Use them as inspiration. For me, my idol was Serena, so I tried her for as much inspiration as I can from her. We're two different players.
I think for me, if you want to be the best, you have to emulate the best. I think just pay attention to tennis as much as you can, whether it's me or another player, Qinwen or whoever.
Also don't let your circumstances or background affect your dream. No matter where you come from, it's possible. Yeah, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Q. Before the China Open you and Carlos went to the Forbidden City in traditional clothing. Both of you were champions. The mysterious eastern power of the Forbidden City. Do you like Chinese traditional culture?
COCO GAUFF: Yeah, it was a really cool experience going there. I didn't think it would bring luck. Obviously I know the history behind it. I got to learn about it while I was there. Everyone was saying it's a lucky place. I got asked in press about it.
Sometimes I'm like a believer in jinxing, so I didn't want to jinx myself. Then Carlos won. I did think about it. I was, How sick would it be if we both won? He won on Wednesday. It was only the quarters for me. I had a lot of work to do.
It was really cool to experience Chinese culture. Last year I did a teahouse, the tournament did a teahouse for me. This year I got to do the Forbidden City. I think next year I want to do the Summer Temple.
I think it was really cool to experience. I make an effort when I go to places so far to spend a day, an hour or two to do something. That for me was the Forbidden City and the Great Wall, as well.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports