Gauff Aims to Break Clay-Court Drought Ahead of French Open Challenge

As the clay-court season kicks into gear, world number three Coco Gauff is setting her sights on ending her trophy drought on the surface, with the ultimate goal of clinching her first French Open title. While Gauff acknowledges the importance of aiming for the Roland Garros crown, her immediate focus remains on securing victories in upcoming tournaments to build momentum.

Gauff’s last triumph on clay dates back to the Emilia-Romagna Open in 2021, a notable achievement preceding her appearance in the Roland Garros final, where she faced off against Iga Swiatek. Reflecting on her past successes and challenges, Gauff is eager to reclaim her winning form on clay surfaces, starting with the Stuttgart Open this week.

As she prepares to compete in Stuttgart, Gauff emphasizes her optimistic outlook for the clay-court season, recognizing the significance of each tournament leading up to the French Open. While winning the prestigious Grand Slam event remains a long-term aspiration, Gauff remains grounded in the present, focusing on the immediate opportunities to secure titles and boost her confidence on clay.

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Gauff’s aspirations extend beyond Roland Garros, with tournaments in Madrid and Rome presenting additional opportunities for success. Expressing her desire to capture a recent clay title, Gauff emphasizes the importance of each upcoming event in shaping her clay-court campaign.

To bolster her quest for clay-court success, Gauff has enlisted the expertise of former coach Jean-Cristophe Faurel, reuniting with him alongside Brad Gilbert in her coaching team. Faurel’s familiarity with Gauff dating back to her junior years, coupled with his understanding of her game, provides Gauff with added support and strategic guidance as she navigates the challenges of the clay-court season.

Having enjoyed previous success with Faurel, including her victory at the 2018 Roland Garros junior tournament, Gauff welcomes his return to her coaching team. Recognizing the value of Faurel’s insights and familiarity with her playing style, Gauff is optimistic about the contributions he can make to her continued development and success on the court.

As the French Open draws nearer, Gauff remains determined to build upon her past achievements and elevate her performance on clay. With the main draw set to commence on May 26, Gauff aims to surpass her quarter-final appearance from the previous year and make a strong statement in pursuit of her maiden Grand Slam title.

In navigating the challenges and opportunities of the clay-court season, Gauff epitomizes resilience, determination, and unwavering focus, embodying the spirit of a champion as she embarks on her quest for clay-court glory.