What Coco Gauff was overheard saying to herself during win over Jessica Pegula which explains why she’s so good

Coco Gauff is seeking to win a second WTA Finals title in Indian Wells this week.

The American took the first step towards accomplishing her goal after beating Jessica Pegula on Sunday evening.

In what was a back and forth affair, Gauff eventually triumphed 6-4, 6-7, 6-2 in California.

Following Sunday’s contest, Andrea Petkovic and Brad Gilbert were full of praise for the 22-year-old American star.

Andrea Petkovic loved what Coco Gauff said to herself during her victory against Jessica Pegula

“I had a great seat next to Garbine Muguruza, tournament director here, and I saw one thing with Coco, and I was like, ‘Man, that’s why she’s so good,’ former world number nine Andrea Petkovic said on the Big T Podcast.

“So she came back to 5-5, [then] 6-5, and she was basically returning to break Jess’s serve that she had just broken twice and back to back to win the match, so very important game, right?

“[At] 6-5 in the second set, Jess hits an okay, medium good wide first serve, and Coco misses a forehand return, and she turned around and I could read her lips, and she kind of clapped and said to herself, ‘That was a good serve’ about Jess’s serve.

“And that was such an insight into her mind because every other player that I know, me including, would have reacted like, ‘How can I miss this return?’ And especially when you know they’re going to serve it there.”

“And you know what is special about Coco too is how resilient she was,” Brad Gilbert, the former coach of Andre Agassi, Andy Murray and Coco Gauff, added. “What about that hold at 4-4 in the first set? 0-40 and then you knew she was going to break the next game.

“But I thought she did a great job of just battling in that second set, 5-1 down to even put herself in that position to close out the second set, and I do think fitness will play a factor in this tournament.

“It is nice that you know the ladies that a lot of them play six, seven, eight weeks in Asia, all outdoors on hardcore. So we’re here on the same surface, but it was almost 90 degrees today.

Coco Gauff’s WTA Finals record

• 2022 – lost to Iga Swiatek, Caroline Garcia and Daria Kasatkina in the group stage.

• 2023 – defeated Ons Jabeur and Marketa Vondrousova in the group stage before losing to Jessica Pegula in the semi-finals

• 2024 – won her first WTA Finals crown, beating Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 in the final

• 2025 – exited in the group stage after losing to Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula

• 2026 – won her first match against Jessica Pegula, 6-4, 6-7, 6-2

“If you haven’t played a tournament in three weeks, you can’t simulate match play. So all of a sudden, it’s like it can hit you, and I I definitely think Jess’s legs were a little bit weary in the end of that.”

Gauff will look to secure her place in the semi-finals when she competes against Marta Kostyuk and Linda Noskova later this week.

The two-time Grand Slam champion has a 2-1 record against Noskova and a 4-2 record against Kostyuk.

Gauff is set to play Kostyuk on Tuesday, following the conclusion of Pegula’s match against Noskova.

Coco Gauff equals Jessica Pegula in statistical area

Gauff was made to work hard by Pegula on Sunday, before the the 22-year-old demonstrated once again why she is one of the most dogged players on the WTA Tour.

As per OptaAce, Gauff has now tied Pegula for the most three-set victories this year. Both Gauff and Pegula have won 19 three-set matches throughout 2026.

The last 10 WTA Finals champions

Gauff and Pegula could play each other again before the end of 2026. However, they would both need to reach the final of the WTA Finals to do so.

Realistically, after losing on Sunday, Pegula will need to defeat Marta Kostyuk on Tuesday to stand any chance of advancing to the semi-finals in California.

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