Coco Gauff Tempers Expectations At Canadian Open Following Olympics

Coco Gauff is adjusting from clay to hard courts following the Olympics, and she does not expect to win the Canadian Open. Last month, she missed out on a medal, losing to Donna Vekic in singles and exiting mixed and women's doubles with Jessica Pegula and Taylor Fritz. Gauff, ranked world number two, is among the top names at the WTA event in Toronto after several high-profile players, including world number one Iga Swiatek and Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova, withdrew.

Gauff's first match of the tournament pits her against Yafan Wang. However, she has set realistic expectations as she prepares for the US Open at Flushing Meadows. "I am not going into this expecting to win or anything. That would be great and it's the goal, but being realistic I was on clay three days ago," Gauff said. "I'm just trying to use this to see where I am and what I need to do to get ready for the US Open."

After her frustration in Paris, Gauff will have to wait another four years to win an Olympic medal. The next Games will be held on home soil in Los Angeles. Despite her disappointment in all three Olympic disciplines (singles, doubles, and mixed doubles) this year at Roland-Garros, she remains optimistic about competing again in 2028.

"I would still do all three [events] again if that's a possibility in '28," Gauff said. "I mean it's four years from now; I'll be 24, so I will still be on the healthier and younger side of things. Especially if the draw size for mixed is that small, I feel like that's one everyone wants to play." She added that she had a great experience despite not being able to go to Tokyo but hopes for better results in Los Angeles.

Gauff expressed her determination by saying, "I just feel like LA; I'll hopefully be on the podium. I just feel like that's what my life consists of: having a disappointing result and then the next time is the best thing in the world."

The American tennis star's journey continues as she balances her ambitions between immediate tournaments and long-term goals like future Olympics.

As Gauff navigates through these challenges, her focus remains on improving her game and preparing for upcoming competitions.