CHINA OPEN

October 6, 2023

Coco Gauff

Press Conference

C. GAUFF/M. Sakkari

6-2, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Into your first semifinal here in Beijing. Thoughts on your performance.

COCO GAUFF: I thought today I played really well. I served really well. I think every match I'm getting better. Honestly, I didn't expect to get this far. I didn't know how I was going to feel after US Open. I think I just reverted back to normal and it feels like another week.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. My question really is, was that as comfortable for you to play as it looked from watching on? You seemed to play really well throughout, very consistent performance.

COCO GAUFF: Yeah, it was definitely as comfortable as, like I said, it looked honestly. She's a tough player. She came out with some -- I think she came out with some great shots.

But honestly, when I stepped on the court, some days you just feel like no matter what's going to happen, you're going to win. It's nothing to do with the opponent. It's just like how you're feeling. That's how I felt when I stepped on court today.

Yeah, there was like shots that I was making, not that I was surprised I was making them, but probably as consistently. I think today was just one of those days where I felt comfortable. It has nothing to do with how Maria played. I think honestly when I woke up today, I just felt good. It's a rare feeling as an athlete. I had this feeling last year in San Diego when I played Kalena - I think. It felt similar to that today.

San Jose, not San Diego.

Q. 16 consecutive wins. I know at the US Open, for example, wasn't like you won a slam absolutely peaking and redlining your game. 16 wins without necessarily having a day like today every single day. Is it easier, harder or as expected to be able to string along this many wins?

COCO GAUFF: I don't know. It doesn't feel like 16. It kind of went by fast. I don't know.

I mean, honestly, I would say the best, consistent matches I played was in D.C. That's not a part of the 16. I lost in Montreal. But I think those are the best consistent matches.

But today I had that feeling of how I felt late in D.C. and playing Andreeva in the US Open. I felt I was playing well that match, as well.

I think if you're going to win 16 times, like, they're not all going to be straightforward wins. At least, I don't know, this is my first time ever on a streak, at least how it feels with me. I don't know.

I don't know how far it will go. I definitely wasn't expecting this turn of events after Wimbledon, I'll tell you that (smiling).

Q. For this season you're changing your coaching team. Experienced tremendous progress. Can you share to us what the new things the team brings to you?

COCO GAUFF: I think the positive aspect, the positivity that my team has. I can be a little bit hard on myself. I think they just reassure me that I'm doing well.

Also the attention to detail. I paid attention to details, too. Sometimes you can look the other way if you're winning. I feel like my team is pushing me as far as I can go.

Right now I'm doing these wins, but I don't feel like I'm playing my best. I mean, everybody knows I have a lot to work on and can improve on. I think that's what makes me even more excited for the future, is because I know I can play better and I can improve on things.

If I'm winning right now, not that it will be easier in the future, but at least, I don't know, I feel like some of the wins can be a little bit more straightforward.

Q. During the on-court interview you talked about the noodles. Can you share more about the noodles you tried. Soup noodle or fried noodle? The flavors you like?

COCO GAUFF: Yeah, in the morning I eat fried noodles every day. That's what I have for breakfast, fried noodles, dumplings and some fruit, and usually a treat with Nutella. I don't know if it's the healthiest breakfast.

It's what we're doing this week and it's working.

Before my matches I have regular penne pasta. After my match I usually get the soup noodles. I've had fried rice a couple times. Usually, yeah, I always get the soup noodles. I like to put sesame oil, chili oil, a little bit of vinegar and some onions and stuff.

Yeah, I don't know, it feels like a warm hug. I don't know. I told my team, I was like, If you eat this...

I feel like the people in China in general live very long, and I told my team, I was like, I have to eat this every day. If you eat this every day, you'll live a long time.

I don't know. When you eat something and it just feels like it automatically heals you, that's what I feel like. It's so weird.

But I've been eating it every day. I think that's why I've been playing so good (smiling).

Q. Looking ahead, you'll play Iga. Highly anticipated semifinal matchup. What do you make of facing her at this point compared to having faced her last in Cincinnati?

COCO GAUFF: Yeah, I mean, I think after the win in Cincinnati I have more confidence going in. It's going to be a tough match. I mean, she's a tough player. She was No. 1 for a long time. Still contender for that spot.

I mean, I've seen some of the comments people are saying, like she had not a good season. I mean, she won a slam and was No. 1 forever. I'm like, I would dream to have the season like she had this year.

I think it's going to be a tough match. The type of matches I had before, I'm not going to try to put too much pressure on myself. I lost to her a lot of times. I'm just trying my best to close the head-to-head a little bit closer. I'll try to get number two on the board. If not, I'm really happy with how I played this week. I feel more confident going in than I did in Cincinnati.

Q. You kept saying in your last press conference and also here you really didn't know what you were expecting from yourself this week. Did you have expectations? What did you think was going to happen this week? What have you pleasantly been surprised by?

COCO GAUFF: Yeah, sometimes I feel like a lot of players at the end of the season were saying the sort of part of the swing was tough just because it's the end of the season and it's far for most of us.

Honestly, I've been enjoying my time a lot here. The people. Hospitality has been really nice. The facilities are really nice. Hotel is nice. Food, I like Chinese food so I have no complaints.

I think when you come in with a little bit, like, less expectations, and also result-wise I had no expectations for myself, when you come in less and do better than what you expected to do, it just makes you feel better.

Like I told my team, every match for me this week is just a plus. I wasn't sure what my mindset was going to be after US Open. I knew I would be motivated, but I was hoping that I wasn't going to try to look at the WTA Finals instead of this.

I feel like I've done a good job of playing every match no matter what and not throwing in the towel. I think that's what I'm proud of myself for. Even though I accomplished my goal for this season, that's what I felt like I did all my goals for the season, I feel like I might have lost some motivation. When you accomplish your goals, you just make new goals. I think that's what I did well, is making new goals and finding something else to be motivated to reach.