MusaCoco Gauff is no stranger to pressure, but with the US Open just around the corner, the defending champion has set herself a new challenge — and it’s one that could keep her fellow American stars Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton on their toes.
The 20-year-old revealed that she’s entering the final stretch of the hard-court swing with a “catch-up” mentality, determined to sharpen her game and fine-tune her confidence after an uneven run in the summer lead-up events.
“I don’t feel like I’m behind in my preparation, but I know there’s another level I need to get to,” Gauff said after her latest win in Cincinnati. “For me, it’s about using every match to close that gap and be exactly where I want to be when New York comes.”
While Gauff’s Cincinnati campaign has been solid, her focus is clearly on peaking at Flushing Meadows — where she lifted her maiden Grand Slam trophy last year. The “catch-up” challenge she refers to isn’t about chasing anyone in particular but ensuring she’s mentally and physically in sync with her highest standards.
That’s where Fritz and Shelton come into the conversation. Both players have been making waves on the men’s side of American tennis, with Fritz consistently holding his spot in the top 10 and Shelton proving himself as one of the most dangerous young talents on tour. Gauff, however, suggested that the push to match and surpass her male counterparts in momentum is part of her personal drive.
“It’s great to see American tennis doing so well across the board,” she said. “I think we all push each other, even if it’s not direct competition. If Taylor’s making semis or Ben’s taking out top players, it’s motivation for me to step up and do the same.”
Gauff’s own progress this season has been a mix of highs and learning moments. She reached the semis at the French Open and had a solid Wimbledon run before an unexpected early exit. Since then, she’s been working on adding more variety to her serve and improving her first-strike tennis — areas that will be crucial against the big hitters she’s likely to face in New York.
“I like where my game is heading,” Gauff said. “But in tennis, if you’re not moving forward, you’re falling behind. The ‘catch-up’ mindset keeps me hungry.”
With Cincinnati offering one of the final tune-up opportunities before the US Open, Gauff’s determination is clear. And with the likes of Fritz and Shelton making their own US Open pushes, American tennis fans could be in for a blockbuster fortnight in New York.
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