Coco Gauff Reveals What Went Wrong in Roland-Garros Defeat

There will not be a repeat champion in men’s or women’s singles at Roland–Garros this year.

Carlos Alcaraz, the two-time reigning champion, withdrew before the tournament even began due to an ongoing wrist injury. But Coco Gauff had a real chance at capturing her second straight Suzanne-Lenglen Cup.

Gauff, 22, arrived at Roland-Garros at No. 4 in the WTA singles rankings, and she cruised through the first two rounds — winning in straight sets against fellow American Taylor Townsend and Egypt’s Mayar Sherif. But Austria’s No. 28-seeded Anastasia Potapova continued the exceptional form she’s shown in clay season to upset Gauff in three sets, 4-6, 7-6(1), 6-4, in the third round on Saturday.

Directly after the match’s conclusion, Potapova was speechless at the result on the court.

“I don’t have any words now,” Potapova said. “I am extremely happy, and the fight that we could show, both of us — I mean, Coco is such a champion. I respect her so much. I’m unbelievably proud of myself.”

A little later, Gauff diagnosed what went wrong in her post-match press conference.

“I had chances, so I think just trying to capitalize more on these good points that I’m hitting and not quite finishing,” Gauff said. “I think that was the difference. She was able to finish the points, and I wasn’t.”

Gauff added, “I feel like I’m practicing well, and when the moments get there, I’m not quite translating that. I do it at times, and then I also don’t do it. I think it’s just a learning experience, and hopefully, when I’m in this position again, I can make better decisions.”

It’s a discouraging result for Gauff not just because she won’t defend her title at Roland-Garros, but also because it marks her earliest exit from Roland-Garros since her 2020 debut, and she will fall out of the top five in the next WTA rankings.

Potapova will next face Anna Kalinskaya in the fourth round on Monday, June 1.