US Open champion Coco Gauff says she is ‘on the fence’ about the new rules set out by the governing body of women’s tennis concerning their premier events.
Gauff, who is currently ranked third in the world, is among a series of top names who are expected to play all 10 WTA 1000 events this year if they are fit to do so. Under the WTA rulebook, all players who have been accepted into the main draw of a WTA 1000 event must play. If they opt to withdraw, they will receive zero points. Furthermore, the zero points will be included in the calculation of their WTA ranking which is based on a set number of events played each year.
This month there are back-to-back WTA 1000 tournaments in the Middle East with the second of those taking place this week in Dubai. Some players, including four-time Grand Slam champion Iga Switek, have voiced concerns about playing big events in consecutive weeks due to the threat of injury and training concerns. However, Gauff is keeping an open mind about the situation.
“I feel like I’m always adjusting to tour life, playing more tournaments.” She said on Monday.
“I’m still learning the whole mandatory situation. It hasn’t changed the way I approach it, except maybe after Australia I was thinking about maybe not playing in Doha. Since it was a 1000, I decided to play. I don’t base my results off of that decision. It’s definitely different. I think I’m on the fence of just waiting and seeing how it goes.”
Supporters of the new criteria argue that ensuring top names are paying will help promote the women’s game. A view Gauff understands but she argues that players should have more freedom when it comes to deciding when they play due to the demanding schedule.
“I think maybe missing one or two should be allowed with the way our sport is,” Gauff commented.
“Also at the same time, I get the business side of it and media side of it, how to promote our sport. You want the best players there.
“It’s just about adapting. I think at the end of the day players should just make decisions what’s best for them and not think about ranking or any of that.”
Gauff is hoping to get back on track this week following her shock second round loss to Katerina Siniakova at the Doha Open last week. That was the first time she had lost her opening match at a tournament since Wimbledon.
So when things aren’t going her way, how does the American mentally recover in time for the next tournament?
“You lose more than you win, especially in tennis.” She said.
“For me, I’ve been just trying to enjoy the other aspects in life other than that. Just listening to your body and listening to your mind. If you feel like you need to miss a tournament, miss it. For me, I’ll always try to play as much as I can with being healthy.”
Gauff’s first match in Dubai will be on Tuesday against Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
