OMNIUM BANQUE NATIONALE

August 9, 2021

Coco Gauff

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Could you talk me through a bit about your disappointment in not being able to go to the Olympics, what that was like watching it from home, and what it's like to be able to be competing again.

COCO GAUFF: Yeah, I was definitely disappointed. I mean, I'm sure as you all know, I was super excited about it, was talking about it since pretty much January.

But, I mean, sometimes things happen and you can't control it. It was just time to move on. I think it gave me a good time, downtime, to reflect on everything, be with my family, do some things that I probably don't have time to do normally when the season goes on.

But now I'm really eager to get back on the court and back competing. I'm happy to be here in Montreal.

Q. Looks like you're scheduled to play doubles with Nick Kyrgios next year at the Australian Open, if I have that correct. What is that process like? How well do you know Nick? Is that an exciting concept for you?

COCO GAUFF: Yeah, I actually met Nick when I was 12. He hit with me at Miami Open, then also when I was 13 he hit with me. I guess now he remembers, but I don't know if he remembered it at the time.

I mean, we're not super close. I think I guess he asked the question because I did an interview for ATP socials, and they asked which tweener I want. I said, Nick. They asked me who I wanted to be friends with. I said, Nick. I don't know, I just really respect him as a person and player.

Actually my agent sent me a tweet. He, like, asked me. I was like, Of course.

People don't know this but him and Roger are literally my dream mixed doubles partners. So hopefully we can make it happen. We haven't really talked about it other than on social media. Obviously Australia is far, far away from now.

But, yeah, that would be pretty exciting, especially it's his home court so you know the crowd is going to be behind us.

Q. Could you talk about your game right now, if there's any important changes you made recently.

COCO GAUFF: Yeah, my game, I've been focusing a lot on the first serve, first two balls, being aggressive. Especially in the hard court season, transferring from clay to grass to hard, I think you just have to be more aggressive.

I feel like during the clay season, hitting the heavier ball higher in the court worked. In the grass season it didn't work as much obviously because it's a different surface. I feel like hard is the middle of the two.

I think I'm going to focus on being aggressive, but not overly aggressive. That's what I've been working on. Also trying to transition the game forward to the net and finishing points at the net.

Q. What are your thoughts about playing in Canada, what your experiences are here in the past maybe as a junior and how you're liking the tournament so far up in Montreal?

COCO GAUFF: Yeah, the facility is really nice. I haven't been to Canada since I believe I was like 11. I don't remember how old I was, but it was a long time ago. It was for a little thing called Coupe Leblanc. I don't know if I'm saying that right.

Even from then and even now I really like the country. We all know Canadians are super nice people. Your guys' reputation still stands with me with that. The hospitality has been great here. I'm super excited and hopefully I can have a good result here.