Gauff Learning To Stay Positive On Court

Coco Gauff recently shared a secret recipe that makes her game tick while at the same time achieving a balance with her emotions.

Tennis can be a very intense sport most of the time because it calls for split-second decision-making. So, players don’t only need to invest themselves physically but also need to maintain high levels of mental focus and demonstrate some quick reflexes.

Players who excel at combining these ingredients can overcome tense moments by choosing and executing the right shots. At the same time, those who lack mental clarity are too error-prone, and their best tennis deserts them in vital moments.

For Coco Gauff, learning to channel negativity into positive energy has been key. In a recent interview on Sky Sports, former British player Laura Robson asked Gauff how she keeps a cool head on a tennis court.

Tennis players frequently have on-court outbursts, and errors can elicit strong and negative reactions. But Robson tells Gauff to share what has been working so well for her, even in situations where her back is against the wall.

“I think just learning, and I realized being negative doesn’t work for me. And I also don’t try to be ultra positive, that’s not my thing. And then every now and then I will do something negative, but it’s definitely something I’ve been working on and I just compete better that way.”

Gauff, who celebrated her 20th birthday this past week in Indian Wells, thrashed Nadia Podoroska 6-2, 6-1 to start her Miami Open campaign on a high note.

She will play French lucky loser Oceane Dodin in the third round of the tournament on Sunday in what will be their first career meeting. The American has only advanced beyond this stage in Miami once in four previous visits.