By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday September 1, 2021
After her 6-4, 6-2 defeat at the hands of Sloane Stephens, 17-year-old Coco Gauff took stock of her impressive Grand Slam season. The American reached her first major quarterfinal at Roland Garros, before losing to eventual champion Barbora Krejcikova. Two weeks later she made the second week of Wimbledon for the second time, falling to former champion and eventual semifinalist Angelique Kerber.
Though she may have wanted more, Gauff believes she is closer than ever before to winning a major.
“I think that I feel like I’ve learned that I’m capable of making it far in slams,” she said. “I think if I tighten up a few things, that I’m capable of winning one. The past couple slams I’ve lost to players that have gone to the quarters or won eventually, so it shows that I’m there.
“I feel like there’s just an experience lacking that I have. I definitely think it shows. I think that I just need to play more matches so I feel more comfortable on the pressure moments.”
Stephens, who is ranked 23, says her high point of the season was reaching the quarterfinals at Roland Garros. She also reminded reporters that her work is not done at the majors this year. She’ll play doubles with Caty McNally.
“I think obviously the standout was the French Open quarterfinal,” she said. “The goal is always to win, so obviously I think I can do a lot better. But I feel like I have a lot to improve on. I think today’s match showed what I need to improve on. I still have doubles, so it’s not quite over. Singles-wise, I think I have a lot to work on. I’m going to go back to work once this is over.”