The two-time Grand Slam champion and WTA #4 ranker, Coco Gauff, gave the USA an edge over Greece (1-0 lead) by beating Maria Sakkari (6-3, 6-2) in the United Cup quarterfinals.

This came after she lost a match against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro (1-6, 7-6, 0-6) and won against Solana Sierra (6-1, 6-1). But Gauff had a few words for the only loss in 2026. 

After taking the United States to the semifinals at the United Cup, Gauff told Tennis World USA, "I think for me that was one of the worst matches of my career. I told myself, 'Well, I was training well, I was playing well in practice sets, and my first match had gone well.'” 

“So I tried to forget the match and learn from it. I don't think I was very positive during that match, so I just tried to stay positive, no matter what happened today [against Sakkari].”

Nevertheless, the win over Sakkari showcased Gauff’s improved focus and court positioning. But she didn’t just beat the Greek once. The mixed doubles at the United Cup quarterfinals witnessed a similar outcome. 

Coco Gauff and Christian Harrison defeated Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari with a score of 4-6, 6-4, 10-8. And these victories pointed to one thing – Gauff’s mentality regarding her game. 

Coco Gauff Reveals Her Mentality Following the Big Win

Gauff has repeatedly shown the importance of a healthy mindset in the game. And that’s what pushed her to succeed despite her known troubles with the serve. 

"I think just mentality,” Gauff said after securing the win over Sakkari. “I think just going for bigger targets, making her play knowing that I off the ground can hang in there or beat almost everyone. So just adjusting. It was difficult like with the first match with the sun on the other side. I don't think I made the right adjustments, and it was negative. Today it was the opposite.”

“I think just being positive, and the mentality is everything when it comes to that."

Gauff confronted her struggles head-on and responded with clarity and intent. She owned one of the worst matches of her career and transformed that honesty into a statement performance.

Written by

Krushna Pattnaik

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu