Coco Gauff shares off-court habits fueling her title bid after dominant win over Alycia Parks at Australian Open 2024

Coco Gauff advanced effortlessly to the fourth round of the Australian Open, securing a convincing straight-sets victory over fellow American Alycia Parks. Gauff expressed her satisfaction with how she handled the match, highlighting the added dynamic of their longstanding acquaintance since childhood. 

Despite the challenge of facing Parks’ powerful serve, the fourth seed dominated the match, winning 6-0, 6-2, and demonstrating her form following her recent triumph at the US Open. Gauff, who feels a sense of familiarity in the city, shared that she is making the most of her time off the court in what she considers a home-like environment.

“We’ve been engaging in activities like mini-golf, escape rooms, indulging in good food, and simply enjoying the tennis,” she shared on the court after her victory. “I always find Melbourne enjoyable; it brings back memories of Florida, especially with the weather, and the crowds here are very welcoming.” Gauff expressed her contentment with her performance, stating, “I’m really pleased with how I played today. Despite what the scoreline suggests, she’s a formidable opponent who hits the ball with power. I’ve known her since I was nine or eight years old, perhaps even younger than that.”

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“It was our initial encounter, whether in juniors or the professional circuit, so I hope we can have numerous more matchups in the future,” she remarked. When asked about her strengths on the court, Gauff added, “Certainly, my ability to return serves stood out.”

“It’s challenging because she has a powerful serve, limiting the opportunities to take control of points. I believe I did well in handling that aspect. Additionally, varying the trajectory and speed of the ball was crucial. Given that she’s a forceful hitter who prefers a fast pace, I aimed to balance aggressiveness with playing with some margin,” Gauff explained. She quickly took the lead on Margaret Court Arena, securing a break in the first attempt and then effortlessly continuing to dominate, resulting in a commanding 6-0 opening set.

Parks staged a comeback at the beginning of the second set, bringing the score to 2-2. However, Gauff regained momentum, winning the next four games consecutively to secure a place in the last 16. The 19-year-old is set to face Poland’s Magdalena Frech in the upcoming match, who made a comeback to defeat Anastasia Zakharova in three sets.