Coco Gauff was on the losing end of a true classic yesterday, as she and Karolina Muchova contested a hugely dramatic Wimbledon semi-final.
In the end, it only felt right that it be decided by a third-set tiebreak, and after both players had seen match points come and go, the Czech star finally converted hers.
For the two-time major champion, this marked a huge opportunity missed, not least because of the manner in which she squandered her match point.
Having hit a thunderous first serve down the T, Muchova scrambled to get anything back. With the ball floundering in the mid-court, Coco Gauff had the match on her racket. And yet, at the very last minute, she opted for the drop shot, feathering it into the net and drawing lung-bursting gasps from the Centre Court crowd.
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An all-Czech clash!
She would have been justified in falling apart in the immediate aftermath of this match and in her press conference, and yet she stood strong.
For this, Gauff deserves so much credit.
Coco Gauff’s perfect response after losing dramatic Wimbledon semi-final
Over a year after Aryna Sabalenka was criticised for her reaction to losing the French Open final, Gauff has shown the kind of class and calmness we have become accustomed to seeing from her.
Such a mature and inspiring figure for someone so young, she had to field plenty of uncomfortable questions in that press conference and tackled them all with grace.
Asked about the decision to play that drop shot, she admitted: “I mean, there’s one thing to be, like, why play a drop shot, but then I think how many points I won off the drop shot.
“Yes, people who don’t watch tennis are going to be like, Why did you do that? At the end of the day, that’s the choice I made. Was it the right one in that moment? Maybe not. But then also, if I make it, everyone’s going to say how clutch of a shot that was.”
Then, on if she would watch the Wimbledon final between Muchova and Linda Noskova, the 21-year-old admitted: “Sometimes I watch and sometimes I don’t watch. I don’t know. We’ll see. When I get home, if I’m up, I might have it on. I am one that, like, stings a little bit, especially so close, I don’t want to watch.
“Also, at the same time, I am a fan of tennis. The girls who are left, I think it’s going to be a great match. Obviously Karolina is great. Whoever she plays in the final is going to be great.”
Eugenie Bouchard had praise for Gauff after hearing this press conference, also remarking on how she has reacted to this devastating defeat.
Coco Gauff is the ideal figurehead for tennis
Perhaps what was most intriguing from that press conference was how Gauff concluded it.
She stated: “Probably already got some hate comments and stuff. It’s okay. Just makes you stronger. Betters who lose who are mad and stuff. It’s the usual. It sucks, but it’s like, whatever. I’ll come on the winning end next time and I’ll be sure to tag ’em (smiling).”
For someone so young to have to deal with this kind of reaction to what is already a crushing loss for her personally, and to attack it with such maturity, proves exactly why she is the perfect figurehead for this sport.
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She is unafraid to tackle political and social issues with sensitivity and intelligence, and on the court has a relentless, hard-working spirit that is so easy to admire.
Gauff speaks well, plays well, and tennis should be thankful that she should hopefully be around for at least the next decade to spearhead its progression.
