Gauff bringing good vibes and relaxed attitude to China Open defense

BEIJING -- Coco Gauff has only been back in Beijing for a day, but the 2024 champion has already felt the love of the fans at the China Open.

"I've always had a great time here," Gauff told reporters on Monday. "The fans here are super sweet. Yesterday I think I've gotten 15 or 20 gifts and it's only been, like, one day here. I'm sure I'm going to get more during the tournament.

"I really appreciate how kind the fans are here."

Gauff has consistently paid that love back to the fans in Beijing. She has never lost before the semifinals at the China Open, making the final four in her 2023 debut and then powering through to her second WTA 1000 title last year, where she defeated Karolina Muchova in the final. She rode that momentum to win the WTA Finals Riyadh, where she became the tournament's youngest champion in 20 years.

Gauff chalks up her late-season success to a more relaxed mindset. Never shy about the ambitions and incumbent pressure at the Grand Slams, Gauff confessed to feeling freer when she lands in Beijing. With the pressure of the Grand Slam season behind her, she can just focus on her tennis.

It has already been a successful season for Gauff, who capped off an emotional and gritty run to her first Roland Garros title by defeating World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in a three-set final. The win was her second at the Grand Slam level and she became the youngest American to lift the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen since Serena Williams in 2002.

"I think winning French Open helped me take that weight off less," Gauff said. "I think last year I did care, but maybe I felt a little bit like I had to do something, because I hadn't won a big title at that point, at that time of the year yet.

"I don't know how I feel right now. I feel definitely a lot lighter."

Gauff is in Beijing without her new biomechanics coach Gavin MacMillan, who was brought on just before the U.S. Open. The two are still working together, but MacMillan had prior commitments that required him to stay back in the United States. They will continue their work when she returns from the Asian swing.

"I guess the focus is really just building for next year and treating this part of the swing kind of as a pre-season almost, which I did that last year. Ended up being successful, so we'll see. I think at this point of the year it's always just looking to how to get better for next year."

Together, Gauff and MacMillan worked to improve her serve in real time at the U.S. Open. Despite the pressure and public scrutiny, Gauff worked her way into the second week, where it took a resurgent Naomi Osaka to end her run.

"It was a good learning experience," Gauff said. "For me it was a tough challenge I think mentally more so than anything just kind of losing trust in a lot of things, trying to find that in that tournament.

"But I really do think that it gives me confidence for the future, [making] second week [while] kind of having some really low moments on court. So I'm looking forward to now feeling refreshed and happy, feeling like I can trust myself all over again and see how I do with this mindset."

As a city, Beijing helps bring out Gauff's relaxed and inquisitive side. She enjoys spending her off days exploring the food and local culture. Once she gets over her jet lag, she's keen to keep doing the same this year.

"Well, the first thing was the Great Wall. I thought that was one of the most incredible things I've ever seen in person. Especially when you look at how long ago it was built. So that was really cool. The Forbidden City, I would like to do it again, the full experience.

"I think the culture is really cool and very different from anything -- being from a country like the U.S., which is considered way younger than China. I think visiting a country with so much history behind it is really cool, just learning about the different dynasties, how everything is kind of intertwined, which we don't really have that in the U.S. because it is so much a melting pot, whereas here it's not so.

"I think it's really cool just to do a deep dive. I would say if you're interested, really try duck here, it's really good, and go to the Forbidden City and some of the temples. I'm not a Beijing expert, but I had a great time and I definitely recommend people to try."