Coco Gauff is through to the third round of the French Open, following her victory over Tereza Valentova.
Gauff is in pursuit of her first Roland Garros title in Paris, having made the semi-final last year before bowing out to Iga Swiatek.
The American has got off to a strong start in the French capital, winning her first two matches in straight sets.
At the age of 21, Gauff has already enjoyed a stellar career, but it hasn’t all been plain sailing for the former US Open champion.
Following her victory over Valentova, Gauff gave an insight into the biggest downside of life on the WTA Tour.
Coco Gauff explains the biggest downside of life as a professional tennis player.
In her post-match press conference, Gauff said: “I think sometimes the solitude of it, and I am someone who likes to be alone, but you’re alone a lot on tour.
“It was harder when I was younger, because I went from juniors, where everyone was my age, being able to relate to everyone, and then going to tour and everyone being like 10 years older than me.
“It’s not like you can be like, what are you doing tonight. Most people aren’t gonna want to go to dinner with someone that young.
“That was the harder part for me with that transition, basically having friends on tour to not having friends, and trying to work through that.”
Coco Gauff achieves something at Roland Garros for the first time since 2008
In her second-round triumph, Gauff became the youngest player to reach the women’s singles third round at Roland Garros for five consecutive years since Marie Sharapova (2004-2008).
Gauff’s debut at the French Open in 2020 marked the only year she hasn’t made it to at least the quarter-final of the tournament.
She made it to the last eight in her second campaign in 2021 and reached the final the following year.
After another quarter-final appearance in 2023, last season Gauff made the semi-final of the tournament for a second time, which she will look to improve on this year.
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