Victory at the Etihad against West Ham on Sunday will make them champions for a fourth consecutive season
sports2 days ago
World number three Coco Gauff is full of optimism heading into the claycourt season as she targets a first French Open crown but the American said her immediate focus was on ending her trophy drought on the surface over the coming weeks.
Gauff last won a title on clay at the Emilia-Romagna Open in 2021, a year before losing in the Roland Garros final to Iga Swiatek.
The 20-year-old will have the chance to end that barren run in Stuttgart this week, with tournaments in Madrid and Rome also on the horizon before the second Grand Slam of the year.
"For the clay season this year, I'm really optimistic," she told reporters ahead of her match against fellow American Sachia Vickery later on Wednesday.
"Obviously the goal is to win the French Open, but that's every season for any top player. Your goals should be to try to win the big tournaments.
"But I'm not looking at French Open right now. I'm focused on Stuttgart. I want to try to win Madrid or Rome or here ... I just want to get a recent clay title under my belt. So any of the ones along the next couple weeks would be nice."
The U.S. Open champion has added former coach Jean-Cristophe Faurel to her team alongside Brad Gilbert, as she looks to claim a second Grand Slam crown.
Gauff has posted good results on clay with Faurel in her corner, notably winning the 2018 Roland Garros junior title.
"It's nice to have someone on my team that knows me since I was young and knows me well," added Gauff, who stopped working with the Frenchman in 2020.
"So I'm really excited to have him back on the team."
The French Open main draw will begin on May 26. Gauff reached the quarter-finals last year.
Victory at the Etihad against West Ham on Sunday will make them champions for a fourth consecutive season
sports2 days ago
It was in Valhalla back in 2014 when the World No 2 last sampled winning one of golf’s coveted events
sports3 days ago
In all, there were 23 Men’s Order of Merit qualifying events conducted during the season-long event
sports3 days ago
After partnering with Sobha Realty the popular team tournament has exceeded all expectations
sports3 days ago
The legendary boxer said he wants to show the world he is still a great fighter
sports3 days ago
Stalter likes hanging out with DJs and playing with 'enthusiastic and aspiring amateurs as well as top pros'
sports3 days ago
Playing alongside Rory McIlroy, Block had a famous hole-in-one on the 15th, and a miraculous up-and-down on hole 18 to secure the final qualifying spot for this year’s USPGA
sports3 days ago
In three years since its opening, at the Emirates Golf Club the entertainment complex has broken records and is ranked only second to Topgolf Las Vegas
sports3 days ago