Coco Gauff won't play the waiting game against Naomi Osaka.
In their last meeting, Naomi Osaka was Coco Gauff's conqueror and consoler.
Charging through eight straight games, Osaka outclassed the 15-year-old American phenom 6-3, 6-0 under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium in a powerful performance to roar into the US Open fourth round last August.
More: Gauff Fights Into Osaka Rematch
When the pair square off again in the Australian Open third round, Gauff vows to amp up her aggression and compete with more calm and clarity.
"I think I'll be less nervous this time," said Gauff, who rallied from 0-3 down in the final set to defeat Sorana Cirstea in a dramatic AO second-round win. "I think US Open I was nervous. It was my first time on Ashe. We're both familiar with each other's games. She plays really aggressive. This time coming in I'm going to be more aggressive."
Since Osaka handed Gauff the worst Tour-level loss of her young career, the teenager has shown she learns from loss. Gauff defeated Kiki Bertens, Andrea Petkovic and 2017 Roland Garros champion Jelena Ostapenko in succession to collect her first WTA title in Linz last October.
Gauff says her recent experiences—and the fact she's experienced the weight of Osaka's shots—will fuel her confidence in the rematch.
"Yeah, for sure more confident because I felt her ball before," Gauff said. "Yeah, I think I'm more confident this time around."
Two-time Grand Slam champion Osaka showed pure class embracing the American wild card in a heart-felt hug while insisting they conduct a joint post-match interview on court at the US Open.
“I’m gonna cry,” Gauff said.
“No, you’re good,” replied Osaka, who was reduced to tears hearing boos and jeers from some fans on the same Arthur Ashe Stadium court after defeating Serena Williams in the controversial 2018 final.
Reflecting on that moment of sportsmanship a little more than four months ago, Gauff said it was a positive lesson for her and young tennis fans everywhere.
"It was definitely a good moment I think for both of us, especially me," Gauff said. "But I think more just for the people watching, the little girls watching and little boys who can kind of see what sportsmanship is really. I think that's something if I had a child or something, that's something I would want my child to see.
"It just shows what being a competitor really is. You might hate the person on the court, but off the court you love them, not really like hate. But you want to win. Sometimes when we're on the court, we say things we don't mean because we have that mentality. When it's all said and done, we still look at each other with respect and the same."
Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve
