Coco Gauff overcomes pressure and doubt by confronting the intense expectations that came with her early achievements in tennis. The American star revealed how she struggled with her desire to continue in professional tennis amidst overwhelming pressure, before ultimately embracing the sport on her own terms.

Early Success and the Weight of Expectations

Coco Gauff burst onto the tennis scene as a young prodigy, competing in major junior tournaments at just 13 years old. Her breakthrough came with a junior Grand Slam victory at the 2018 French Open, quickly followed by her stunning upset of Venus Williams, a five-time Wimbledon champion, at the 2019 Wimbledon Championships. Despite these accomplishments, she was heavily burdened by the expectations that accompanied her rapid rise.

In a 2020 reflection for Behind the Racquet, Gauff disclosed the inner conflict she faced during this period. She found the hype surrounding her youth and early success to be a source of pressure rather than motivation.

“Throughout my life, I was always the youngest to do things, which added hype that I didn’t want. It added this pressure that I needed to do well fast. Once I let that all go, that (was) when I started to have the results I wanted. Right before Wimbledon, going back to around 2017/18, I was struggling to figure out if this was really what I wanted,” Coco Gauff said.

By focusing on her passion rather than external opinions, Gauff was able to regain control of her career and find joy in playing.

“I always had the results so that wasn’t the issue, I just found myself not enjoying what I loved. I realized I needed to start playing for myself and not other people,” she added.

The Emotional Struggles During Her Early Career

Coco later revealed that her emotional challenges were profound and extended over approximately one year, during which she felt lost, confused, and isolated. The weight of her success, combined with doubts about her path and difficulty connecting with friends, took a toll on her mental health.

“For about a year I was really depressed. That was the toughest year for me so far. Even though I had, it felt like there weren’t many friends there for me. I was just lost. I was confused and overthinking if this was what I wanted or what others did,” Coco Gauff said.

After enduring this difficult time, Gauff emerged with a stronger self-awareness and renewed appreciation for her life on the court.

“It took many moments sitting, thinking and crying. I came out of it stronger and knowing myself better than ever. Everyone asks me how I stay calm on court and I think it’s because I accepted who I am after overcoming low points in my life. Now, when I’m on court, I am just really thankful to be out there,” she added.

Legacy of Triumph and Resilience

Following these struggles, Coco Gauff has achieved remarkable milestones that affirm her place among tennis elite. She captured her first Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open and later secured the 2024 WTA Finals championship. Demonstrating continued excellence, she claimed the French Open title in 2025, showcasing her resilience and consistent performance on the world stage.

Coco Gauff’s journey illustrates how overcoming internal battles with pressure and doubt can pave the way for extraordinary growth and success. Her story offers inspiration to athletes and fans alike, emphasizing the importance of mental health, self-acceptance, and playing for the love of the game.