Carlos Alcaraz responds to Coco Gauff praise after dominant win at US Open

“I was, like, if he can smile, he’s No. 1 in the world and he has all this pressure, he’s supposed to beat Hubi on paper, then I can do it in situations maybe where, most of the time now I’m not the underdog. But against, for example, like Iga [Swiatek] or [Aryna] Sabalenka, those where I’m considered the underdog on paper, I can smile too.

“I feel I discovered essentially the most about their pleasure in matches and the way I can switch that. Because I’ve numerous pleasure in me however I simply appear to bottle it up after I play. Now I’m actually simply having enjoyable and laughing and smiling, and I feel it is making tennis extra fulfilling.”

Gauff’s strategy appears to be working, and each she and doubles companion Jessica Pegula are gaining momentum within the competitors. The final American to win the US Open was Sloane Stephens in 2017, however each gamers want to change that.