Coco Gauff says Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova didn’t let one match outline their careers after struggling Australian Open semi-final heartbreak on Thursday.
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka took her revenge in opposition to Gauff to make it back-to-back finals in Melbourne.
Gauff denied Sabalenka a second Grand Slam title of the yr with victory within the US Open remaining final summer time however her profitable run on the majors got here to an finish with defeat beneath the roof on Rod Laver Area.
Sabalenka (proper) embraces Gauff after their semi-final match
“Tough match for me. Overall a positive tournament. I had chances in both sets, but she played better tonight,” stated Gauff. “I think it just came down to a couple of points, and that’s tennis.
“At this stage in any event, however particularly a Grand Slam, whether or not I misplaced 6-1 6-1, or like I did right now, or in a third-set tie-break, I nonetheless assume it could damage simply as a lot.”
The American admitted she thought she had performed higher in her straight-sets loss than at Flushing Meadows final September when she clinched her first Grand Slam title in three units.
The 19-year-old world No 4 made such a giant impression on the game’s greatest stage at such a younger age that it appears outstanding that her teenagers will solely come to an finish in March.
Gauff felt happy with her achievements within the time since she reached the fourth spherical of Wimbledon on the age of 15.
“Overall, this stage of my life, it was obviously a successful time,” she stated.
“I did want to win a Slam as a teenager, and I did that. Obviously today I was hoping to get number two, or at least give myself a chance to get number two. It didn’t happen, but I feel like I’m there. So hopefully I can go only upwards from here.”
I will dwell on it however… the solar goes to rise tomorrow. Tomorrow, I do not know, I will attempt to go to the flicks or one thing, be happy with myself.
Most significantly, maybe, Gauff, who turns 20 subsequent month, stated she was nonetheless having fun with her tennis, even in defeat.
“I watched these matches growing up and watching Serena (Williams) and watching (Maria) Sharapova lose these matches,” she added.
“When you’re in it, it feels like the end of the world but then when you look at history, they didn’t let one match define their career.
“I will dwell on it however… the solar goes to rise tomorrow. Tomorrow, I do not know, I will attempt to go to the flicks or one thing, be happy with myself.”
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