Coco Gauff’s bid for her first Wimbledon title ended with her crushing loss to Karolina Muchova on Thursday.
The American reached her first Wimbledon semifinal by defeating Jessica Pegula on Tuesday, but Muchova ended her run with a 6-2, 6-1, 7-6(10) victory on Centre Court. Had Gauff won the title, she would have become the first American woman since Serena Williams to lift the Wimbledon singles crown.
Shortly after the upset, she spoke about her loss, her faith, hate comments and more during the news conference. Here are the key takeaways from her media session.
“It’s not a painful story” – Coco Gauff opened up about processing her loss at Wimbledon
Calling her close loss at Wimbledon a “painful experience,” Gauff was asked how she processes an upset like this. Reflecting on the loss, she said:
“As much painful as it is from the outside, I think about I was down 7-4 in the second round, and I’m here in the semis. I don’t know, I didn’t think it would be this year I would make the semis. It’s not a painful story. I think thousands of people would love to lose the semifinals at Wimbledon on match point. This is something I wouldn’t love to experience again, for sure no. I think it will make my next moment when I win a match like this even sweeter,” said Coco Gauff.
She added:
“It’s just one of those days where it didn’t go my way. Somebody had to lose, and unfortunately it was me today.”
Coco Gauff reveals whether she would watch the Wimbledon final after her heartbreaking defeat
A reporter also asked Coco Gauff whether she would avoid television and social media or watch the Wimbledon final after the defeat. The World No. 7 said the close loss stung, so she was unsure if she would watch the match. She also praised the players still competing in the tournament, saying:
“Sometimes I watch and sometimes I don’t watch. I don’t know. We’ll see. When I get home, if I’m up, I might have it on. I am one that, like, stings a little bit, especially so close, I don’t want to watch.”
She added:
“Also, at the same time, I am a fan of tennis. The girls who are left, I think it’s going to be a great match. Obviously Karolina is great. Whoever she plays in the final is going to be great. Maybe I’ll watch; maybe I won’t. I’ll be online. Probably already got some hate comments and stuff. It’s okay. Just makes you stronger.
Coco Gauff weighed in on the hate comments she receives after losing a match
Opening up about the online hate she receives, Gauff said much of it comes from bettors frustrated after losing money. Adding a positive approach to it, she said:
“Betters who lose who are mad and stuff. It’s the usual. It sucks, but it’s like, whatever. I’ll come on the winning end next time and I’ll be sure to tag ’em (smiling).”
Coco Gauff opened up about taking inspiration from Roger Federer to overcome Wimbledon loss
During her news conference, Coco Gauff said she drew inspiration from Roger Federer when asked how she would move on from her Wimbledon semifinal loss, in which she held a match point. The American recalled Federer’s 2016 Wimbledon 6-3, 6-7, 4-7, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 semifinal defeat to Milos Raonic and said every champion experiences moments like this in their careers.
“I’m going to think about it tonight. Yeah, I don’t know. I don’t know if I’ve ever lost a match after having match point. If I did, I don’t remember the last time. I don’t know how long it will take me. I look at Roger lost match points here, Jannik obviously at Roland Garros. Every great champion has this happen in their career. Maybe this is something I need to be on their level,” said Gauff.
Coco Gauff’s Wimbledon journey started on June 29, where she registered a 6-2, 6-1 win over Tamara Korpatsch.
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