By Chris Oddo | @Thefanchild | Sunday 4 May 2025
Coco gafff had won eight consecutive WTA finals, and 10 out of 11, before Saturday’s loss against Sabalenka. The reason for her success in the title matches with high actions?
“I hate to lose a lot, and especially in the finals, because it’s like being so close,” Gauff said. “I’m ready for these matches and, yes, I trust how much I hate loss.”
Gauff: Only No.1 matters
Saturday was different, however. No matter how bad Guff wanted another great victory, she could not serve her way to cross Aryna Sabalenka in Madrid. Safe to say Sabalenka, who now has three Madrid titles and 20 in general, hates loss.
Queen of Madrid: Sabalenka stops gafff for the third Madrid crown
However, Gauff takes the positive from a much needed run in the final in Madrid, where she withdrew after being found in the first group of her first match by Dayana Yastremska.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwzo-l8gjxm
“I don’t know, today it was difficult, but no doubt if I can lose this and go some unbeatable finals will get it,” the 21-year-old said. “Whenever it is an experience of learning, and maybe I had to feel this loss again to be motivated again, even more motivated for the other.”
Gauff did not like the way she served in the final, and she felt it was the biggest factor in losing.
Thanks MadridET
Not the result I was hoping for today, but much to be proud. Leaving here with their heads up and more motivation to work even harder to do better next time#Zot pic.twitter.com/h4Ielgm3od
– Coco Gauff (@cocogue) May 3rd 2025
“My first percentage of service was not great today, so I think if I had a better percentage of first service, it could have been a better match, or at least a better result in the first and second set. My first service was such a weapon this week, so I just wanted to have served today.”
However, the American goes to Rome very confident in its form of rebellion and hunger to take the next step.
“There is a lot of positive to get, and I think it is especially coming from the last few weeks where I didn’t feel so safe on Earth, I think it’s a step in the right direction, and just trying to see the positives of all. I don’t like to lose, the first final loss since the French Open, so it’s a feeling I don’t like.”
