Coco Gauff is sporting a new look at AO 2026, her flowing locks tinged with orange.
“I thought it would help me out, considering there's another ginger doing really well,” Gauff smiled, referencing two-time defending men’s champion Jannik Sinner during her briefing with reporters on media day at Melbourne Park.
“Maybe it will give me some luck, because he has a pretty good record here and I don't. So we'll see.”
The world No.3 was being harsh in downplaying her accomplishments at Melbourne Park, but by her standards – the poised American famously remarked years ago that she wanted to be the “greatest of all time” – a quarterfinal and semifinal in her past two visits didn’t leave her entirely happy.
The ultimate joy came for Gauff when she won the US Open in 2023 and French Open last year, displaying her extraordinary athleticism and court craft on her way to the title, beating Aryna Sabalenka in both finals.
“It is crazy. I guess I should be proud of the [2024] semifinal result here,” said the Florida resident.
“I was explaining this actually to my friend. I was just like, ‘Yeah, after winning, nothing feels as satisfying as that.’
“I think the only thing that I would be satisfied with is making a quarterfinal at Wimbledon, because I've lost fourth round so many times,” she added.
“I think that would be the only non-win result I would be completely satisfied (with). It doesn't mean I'm not proud of myself if I lose. Even the year I lost in the semis, I was proud of that tournament. I think it's more the satisfying feeling is different.
“I am always generally proud of myself in most tournaments, even if I don't do well. Definitely not satisfied unless you win.”
At Wimbledon, the lone major Gauff where hasn’t made a quarterfinal, the grass slightly inhibits one of the 21-year-old’s greatest strengths, her movement. It might be easier for opponents to rush her much-discussed forehand wing given the slicker surface.
But the numbers prove her hard court prowess. Besides the US Open crown, Gauff won the WTA Finals in 2024. And in hard court finals, her record is a sizzling 9-0.
This month at the United Cup, Gauff went 3-1, downing Iga Swiatek for the fourth straight time, although Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro handed her a first loss in the competition.
Gauff didn’t win a game in the final set.
“Definitely it’s a goal to be more consistent,” said Gauff.
“But for me, I just look at it as life. Most areas in life, a 25-year-old or 26-year-old is more consistent than a 21-year-old. I kind of look at that. But also knowing that I do want to be more consistent … I want to give it my all in each match.
“I think it's more so I feel like more that stemmed from my serve, having good days and really bad days. So I think the more that stroke becomes more consistent, the more my results will become more consistent.”
Gauff hit 14 double faults against Bouzas Maneiro, who has nonetheless earned a reputation for raising her game against top 10 foes.
Working with the same biomechanics coach that helped Sabalenka, Gavin MacMillan, Gauff continues to work on the serve.
Gauff opens her AO 2026 campaign against the quick world No.91 Kamila Rakhimova – who switched nationalities to Uzbekistan late last year – in the first round on Monday.
MORE: AO 2026 women's singles draw
When they met in September, Gauff won in straight sets but not before saving all 10 break points faced.
Rakhimova might draw inspiration from compatriot Denis Istomin, the man who famously upset Novak Djokovic at Melbourne Park in 2017. If Rakhimova matched Istomin, Gauff’s wise-beyond-her-years perspective won’t mean it’s the end of the world.
“It's a Grand Slam and every Grand Slam you want to perform and do your best, and you want to take advantage of the moment now because tomorrow isn't promised,” she said.
“It's like a fine line of playing like your life depends on it, but also not playing like your life depends on it. I try to give it my all, and when I leave the court, just knowing I gave it my all, and regardless of results, I still have things I can look forward to.
“At the beginning of my career, I wrapped myself too much into the results of part of my identity. I no longer do that.
“I still get disappointed, but it doesn't change the way I view myself.”