Coco Gauff is already a champion in China, and will be hoping that she can translate her newly-found title-winning form from Beijing over to Wuhan.
2024 has not been the year she would have hoped it has, but given her youth, to have already accomplished what she has done and now endured a year which will have taught her so much, it marks a fearful prospect for her competitors.
And, the fact that she managed to win the China Open without a big-name coach, instead simply adding Matt Daly to teach alongside long-time partner Jean-Christophe Faurel, speaks volumes for her undeniable quality.
The fact that she was mature enough to recognise exactly what she needed before the tournament had even begun only adds to this overwhelmingly positive notion.
Coco Gauff reveals pre-China Open conversation with team
Speaking to reporters after her triumph at the China Open, winning her very first event since Gauff announced she had split with coach Brad Gilbert, few predicted this comeback story.
After all, 2024 has been a tough year for the 20-year-old, who had high expectations and even loftier pressure going into all Grand Slams and the Olympics, yet came up short on all fronts.
However, she revealed what she told her new coach and the rest of her team ahead of the event in Beijing that she needed to do, noting: ‘I kind of told my team I wanted to play Beijing. We were planning on just coming to Wuhan. I just felt like I needed to play, have fun. I enjoy Beijing.
‘I think last year, I won US Open and I was like, the rest of the season, I want to do well, but whatever – just play and see what happens.
‘And then this time it was like, well, I haven’t done so well. The tournaments that I really wanted to do well in, the Slams, that was over. So it was kind of, let’s just see what happens here.
‘I always think that this part of the season will always just be more relaxed for me.’
Alcaraz congratulated Gauff after they both won the China Open too, with game clearly recognising game.
Coco Gauff’s talent just needs a little bit of direction
If anything, Coco Gauff‘s triumph this last week only proves one thing: that her talent can be unstoppable.
Unfortunately, a tumultuous year has prevented her from showcasing that quality with regularity, and even throughout her win in Beijing she was far from her best.
It’s the mark of a true champion to still fight through and win, especially the entire competition.
With no outstanding head coach still after her split with Gilbert, it’s clear that a talent like hers simply needs direction.
A calm head to identify her few weaknesses and turn them into strengths, building upon the remarkable foundation already laid by her ability.
