The past holds lessons, but don’t let it define you. Move forward with strength and wisdom, ready to conquer what’s to come. American tennis star, Coco Gauff, is currently following the same mantra. The No. 2 seed recently faced a shocking upset at the hands of her compatriot, Emma Navarro in the R16 of the Wimbledon Championship. However, the she doesn’t want to latch on to things that have become a past now. Instead, her eyes are already on the prize of competing in the Paris Olympics.

Coco was forced to miss the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, held in 2021, because she tested positive for COVID-19. If everything goes right this time around, the 20-year-old tennis star will make her Olympic debut in Paris – which will be underway from July 27-August 4 at Stade Roland Garros. With respect to currently ongoing Wimbledon, Coco, after her loss to Navarro, revealed her mindset to be a good contender at the Games. “I mean honestly my mind is on the Olympics and especially in doubles. I wouldn’t say I’m not looking at the Olympics but I’m looking at us as a team, and how can we improve to be a good contender for a medal in the Olympics. Coz we haven’t played much this year.” 

Reflecting on how to get over this disappointing loss quickly, she admitted she has the ability to raise her level much higher than she did in that match. “I definitely have to learn from today because it’s not going to be the first or last time that a player plays a great match against me, and I have to figure out when those moments happen how to raise my level.” However, the worrying factor is that she doesn’t have much time on her hands to up her game.

Meanwhile, Team USA has named a star-studded lineup to take charge of the courts in Paris. For the women’s team, Former Billie Jean King Cup captain Kathy Rinaldi has been given the charge to coach them during the event. Gauff will be joined by Jessica Pegula, Danielle Collins, and Emma Navarro in the women’s singles and Desirae Krawczyk will possibly team up with Collins for the women’s doubles. The team looks good, but can they work hand in hand to fulfill Gauff’s ‘unfinished business‘?

When Gauff revealed she gets “goosebumps” representing her nation at the Games

Coco Gauff and co. want to win big at the Olympics this year. “One of the goals I wrote down on my vision thing, vision note, in my phone, was to win a medal in the Olympics,” she had said. Reflecting on her emotions involved with representing her nation in this particular event in 2024, she revealed, that she gets “goosebumps”. “I get goosebumps representing my country…I want to win a gold so bad.” She admitted that she would want to play all three events (singles, doubles, and mixed) but she’s ready to do whatever suits best for her team. Although winning the singles event will always be her main target, she said, she wants to win a medal at any of the events.

It has now become more like a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the American tennis star. How does she look at the Olympics compared to Grand Slam tournaments? “For me, the Olympics is a top priority. I would say equal to the Grand Slams. I wouldn’t put it above or below just because I’ve never played before. This is my first time,” said Gauff. The transition from grass court to clay is really gonna be very interesting to watch for all the tennis fans. The team that can find its rhythm right from the go will be the favorite in this event. Will it be Team USA?