'I am moving the best that I have': Coco Gauff remains optimistic about French Open chances after impressive start to clay-court season

America’s Coco Gauff has expressed confidence in her preparations for the French Open. The 21-year-old, who is already regarded as one of the best players currently playing in women’s tennis in the singles category, is set to start her journey in the ongoing Rome Open, where she will face Canada’s Victoria Mboko in the round of 64.

The WTA 1000 event started on Tuesday where some of the top players are participating to showcase their talent and secure the ultimate prize. Gauff is coming into the competition on the back of an impressive performance at the Madrid Open where she finished runner-up after losing to reigning world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 7-6.

Gauff has recently spoken to Tennis Channel after her participation in the WTA event in the Spanish capital, where she stated that she feels more prepared ahead of the second Grand Slam of the year — the French Open. Gauff, who had already played a final at the Roland Garros in 2022, where she lost to Poland’s Iga Swiatek in straight sets, stated that from the very start, she always felt that the clay court was where she was the strongest. The one-time Grand Slam further stated that normally, she feels that she is in the groove by the start of the French Open. However, this year, she started feeling that she was moving in a much better way during the Madrid Open.

“When I was younger, I always thought my best surface was hard, and then I got on tour, and I thought my best surface was on clay, and then the US Open, and I was like maybe it is hard!” said the Atlanta-born. “But I don’t know, there’s something about clay that I have always felt comfortable on. I feel like this year, more than ever, I am moving the best that I have, especially so early in the clay season. I usually really don’t find it [movement] until Roland Garros, but I feel like I have found it here [Madrid. It’s a really physical surface and I think if you are not physically ready it kind of exposes you and I think it rewards me because I am a physical player and I do like to move and I can be aggressive, but also sit there and grind if I have to.”