The strict requirements of the WTA, which limit the participation of players under 16, had restricted Cori Gauff's agenda, forced to take September as a competitive rest month. His training at the prestigious academy of Patrick Mouratoglou alternated with the History, Mathematics or English classes. A routine like that of any 15-year-old teenager. This is how the sunny days on the French Riviera went until Jean-Christophe Faurel, his coach, booked a ticket for Austria. Today, just 12 days later, Cori will fight against Jelena Ostapenko, winner of Roland Garros in 2017, to raise the champion cup in Linz.

Everything in Gauff's life happens as fast as this week without a brake. From his appearance with 13 years in the junior final of the US Open 2017 until yesterday's victory against Andrea Petkovic, a veteran of 32 who already rubbed shoulders with the elite when Coco was not even born. "Andrea connected a lot of winners and put a lot of pressure on me," he analyzed after the win in 91 minutes. A true demonstration of a competitive nature where he took forward nine of the 10 adverse break balls and 71% of the points with his second service. "I was simply trying to get the serve and make it play the point," he added with the baffling naturalness of a girl.

Osaka's gesture

His tennis, both graceful and forceful, once again left everyone with the same gesture of amazement as three months ago at Wimbledon. There he destroyed Venus Williams before his memorable victory, on the Central Court, against Polona Hercog, with a set down and 2-5 in the second set. According to BBC estimates, more than five million viewers enjoyed that comeback live. A higher audience than the one recorded in the triumph of Rafa Nadal against Nick Kyrgios in that same scenario.

Awaiting the final assault of Serena Williams to the record of 24 Grand Slam titles, the female circuit requires figures like Gauff, with a fresh game and a lot of magnetism in front of the cameras. From their overwhelming charisma, even the rivals seem aware. After the traumatic defeat in the third round of the US Open, Naomi Osaka wanted to take care of Coco, then bathed in tears, like the future star she is. «I will never forget it. I wanted to hurry off the track, but she approached. I've never seen anything like that before, ”he recalled about the gesture of the 2018 champion, who attended the cameras in the company of the defeated.

"Only 25%"

"He still plays at 25% of his potential," warns Faurel, the coach who has been accompanying her since March this week. «Patrick called me and left me a simple message:" I have a girl who is very strong, "he recalls about communicating with Mouratoglou, the architect of the best Serena. Faurel, then out of work, could not afford the doubt. Today he has the tennis player of the future in his hands. And even last-minute plan changes seem attractive.

Do not forget that this Monday, after the defeat in the second round, Faurel and his player already had the bags ready for Luxembourg. "This is crazy. I entered as a lucky loser and now I'm going to fight for the first time for a title, ”admitted the finalist yesterday, who at 15 and 213 days can become the youngest winner, since Nicole Vaidisova in 2004, of a WTA title. Tomorrow you will enter the Top-80 of the ranking. A jump of almost 800 positions in less than two years.

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