‘Class’ Coco Gauff praised for what she said despite losing to Naomi Osaka at the US Open

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Coco Gauff has suffered defeat at the US Open, losing her fourth round match with two-time champion Naomi Osaka.

Osaka enjoyed beating Gauff at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York, where the former WTA number one triumphed 6-3, 6-2.

Gauff was the third seed at the US Open and won the Grand Slam in 2023, but has fallen well short of another success this year.

And while she was disappointed after the defeat to Osaka, the American remained upbeat in her post-match press conference.

She said: “It’s been a tough I think post French Open for me for sure, and I know the improvements that I need to make, and I feel like I’m making the right decision by making them. I wish I had more time between this tournament and Cincinnati, but that’s the cards that I was given.

“And I don’t know, I think today when I walked on the court… I feel like I put so much pressure on myself at my age, at 21, and I realize how much the girls on tour are being successful at like 25, 26, at those ages.

“So I think for me it just gets me excited to realize if I have like four more years of just working as hard as I am right now and actually doing the right things like where my game could be, and it has obviously improved in the last four years, from four years ago to now, so I think if I can make that same jump of improvement, it’s a lot to be excited for the future for.”

Tennis fans praise Coco Gauff despite her US Open loss to Naomi Osaka

Gauff’s comments have since drawn praise from tennis fans, one of whom wrote on X: “Coco Gauff is amazing.

“To be that articulate and well-spoken at 21, what I would have given. She’s 100% class, and she will win many Grand Slams!”

READ MORE: Tim Henman noticed what Coco Gauff did immediately after losing to Naomi Osaka at the US Open

Others agreed, saying: “Coco is terrific. So wise at a young age – and an outstanding player,” and “She’s got the talent and mindset to handle it.”

Another fan was in agreement, noting: “She is already carrying herself like a champ. At 21 most people are still figuring it out, Coco is already shaping history.”

And further praise for the two-time Grand Slam champion arrived, with others commenting: “All class from Coco,” and “Handling expectations at 21 isn’t easy, but she seems ready for it.”

Why Coco Gauff should hold her head high despite disappointing US Open exit

Gauff certainly deserves praise despite her premature US Open exit, not only for her comments but for her run.

She did bow out early for her high standards, and in particularly disappointing fashion, but the American fell only to a four-time Grand Slam champion and a former world number one.

Gauff also battled past Donna Vekic, Magdalena Frech and Ajla Tomljanovic in impressive fashion in New York.

And perhaps most importantly of all, she was under immense pressure as a home player and as the current French Open champion.

It is definitely worth noting she is only 21 years old, and has already claimed two Grand Slam titles in her relatively brief career so far.

Like she alluded to, plenty more success is on the cards should the WTA number two continue on her current trajectory.