has a new approach for her second time around attempting to defend a Grand Slam title.
The American’s strategy heading into the 鈥� the clay-court major that starts Sunday and which she won a year ago 鈥� goes something like this: Don’t think about it as defending something.
鈥淚 realize that the 鈥榙efending鈥� means nothing in a way,鈥� Gauff said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 really look at it as defending anymore.”
Gauff鈥檚 first Grand Slam title defense at the two years ago ended in the fourth round with 19 double faults.
鈥淎t the U.S. Open I was like, 鈥業 need to defend, defend.鈥� When you鈥檙e playing a tournament that you didn鈥檛 win, what is it called?鈥� Gauff said recently in Rome. “That鈥檚 why I just say now it鈥檚 just another tournament: 鈥業 won it last year. I鈥檒l try again to do it this year.鈥� I鈥檓 not going to be able to defend every year. I鈥檓 not Rafa.鈥�
Rafa, of course, would be , the record 14-time French Open champion.
came with a victory over top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in the final a year ago.
Just like last year, 鈥� a major clay-court warmup for Roland Garros.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of positives I can take from this tournament and a lot I can learn from,鈥� Gauff said after losing the final in Rome to Elina Svitolina. “This week I experienced all the ups and downs of a tournament…I鈥檝e been down, had the lead, lost the lead, I鈥檝e been in the final, been down match point. I think I鈥檝e experienced every scenario that can prepare me for Roland Garros.
鈥淗opefully I can actually learn from each scenario and do better.鈥�
Gauff sees improvement in her serve
Another big lesson that Gauff will take from Rome is a positive vibe on her serve after years of struggles.
In two of her wins at the Foro Italico, she committed only one double fault. She then had seven in the final, though.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 a real improvement,鈥� Gauff said after getting 78% of her first serves in against Sorana Cirstea in the semifinals. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the first time in my career I feel like I鈥檓 really stable with that shot.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been an up-and-down process. I obviously don鈥檛 want to jinx anything, but I think we found the recipe to making it more consistent. Now it鈥檚 focusing on how to make it more of a weapon, how to serve smarter.鈥�
Gauff also discussed what she鈥檚 doing better technically on her serve.
鈥淚鈥檓 tossing a bit more consistent. My weight is a little bit better. Also just the trust, the confidence in it is a lot better,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ecause my confidence in it is better, then I鈥檓 actually consistently tossing the ball in the right spot, having my technique be the same on each serve regardless where my target is. That鈥檚 the biggest difference.鈥�
Sabalenka struggling on clay
While Sabalenka remains unbeatable at times on hard courts 鈥� see her 鈥淪unshine Double鈥� this year with titles in Indian Wells, California and Miami 鈥� she is still perfecting her game on clay.
She was in the Madrid Open quarterfinals and then the No. 1 player was beaten in the third round at the Italian Open by .
Sabalenka appeared visibly bothered by lower back pain in Rome.
Elena Rybakina, ranked No. 2 and this year鈥檚 , is another player who excels on hard courts and has achieved mixed results on clay.
Iga Swiatek, the four-time French Open champion, lost to Svitolina in the Rome semifinals and is still reshaping her game under who used to work with Nadal.
ended in the semifinals last year with a loss to Sabalenka.
Ukraine contenders
Marta Kostyuk and then withdrew from the Italian Open due to hip and ankle issues.
Svitolina, who is from like Kostyuk, claimed the for her first WTA 1000 trophy in eight years 鈥� and is back in the top 10 after a maternity leave. But she’s never been past the semifinals of a Grand Slam 鈥� and never past the quarterfinals at the French Open.
Mirra Andreeva is only 19 but already performing on all surfaces. The Russian won a title on clay in Linz, Austria, and then reached the Madrid final before losing to Gauff in three sets in the Rome quarterfinals.
At the other end of the age spectrum, Cirstea is having a breakthrough season at age 36 with a run to the Rome semifinals. She plans to retire at the end of the year.
Jessica Pegula, the No. 5 player, suggested that there’s a long list of possible title contenders.
鈥淓specially on clay, it鈥檚 always like that,鈥� Pegula said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot more chances for people.鈥�
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