As Coco Gauff prepared for her first French Open final, at the age of 18, the American was overcome with nerves and had already written off her chances when she walked out onto Court Philippe-Chatrier. It was no surprise, then, that Gauff was beaten 6-1 6-3 by Iga Swiatek in a one-sided final three years ago.
The morning after, Gauff stepped out onto the Paris streets and reflected on the pressure she had put on herself. “At first I thought it would be the end of the world if I lost,” Gauff said, “and the sun still rose the next day.”
