Cori Gauff is not having the best season of her career, and many are calling for substantial improvements in her tennis to make her a stronger candidate for major titles. However, the young American continues to work diligently, and after reaching the quarter-finals of the WTA 1000 Toronto 2026, she analyzed her reality and that of the entire women’s circuit.
That a player of Cori Gauff’s stature has not lifted a title yet this season is quite unusual and can create a sense of urgency. The American wants to think long-term, as evidenced by the structural changes she has made to her serve and forehand, with the goal of achieving a higher level over time. Her reflections in the press conference after reaching the quarter-finals of the WTA 1000 Toronto 2026 clearly show the intelligence and maturity of a girl just 22 years old.
This is what Cori Gauff said in Toronto after reaching the quarter-finals
The fierce competition of women’s tennis, according to Gauff
«I think the depth of the WTA tour is quite strong. I feel like anyone can win any day. It’s tough, it makes every match challenging. There’s no one you face in the first round and think: ‘Phew.’ I feel like every match is hard.»
«Since I started on the tour until now, I really feel that the depth is greater. I think that is shown with all the statistics. And now we have different Grand Slam winners almost every season and the number one is up for grabs. Things like that make it interesting.»
«As people made my age such a big deal when I was younger, if anything, I do not take my age for granted. I feel like sometimes the players on tour underestimated me when I was younger because of my age, and that allowed me to get many victories.»
Gauff explains her evolution with the serve
«I try to make it more consistent and not chase so many tosses. If it doesn’t look right, I just don’t hit it. I’m trying to disguise my serve a bit. I think it’s something I’ve been working on. I feel it’s a bit hard to read, at least I think so. I’m getting a few more aces and some serves that can’t be returned, so I’d like to think that influences it.»
She may not be the most spectacular player or have the flashiest game, but normalizing that a young 22-year-old has been among the best for so long and already holds major titles in her portfolio clearly speaks to the value of Cori Gauff as a tennis player. Her work and long-term thinking are the best assurances to continue considering her as a player destined to make history. This WTA 1000 Toronto 2026 could be a turning point in her journey this season.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Coco Gauff, sobre el nuevo circuito WTA: «Cualquiera puede ganar, la competencia es máxima»