Coco Gauff Set For Extended Break

By: Gyang Dakwo

Coco Gauff’s break before the season-ending WTA Finals will be longer than initially anticipated following her injury-enforced withdrawal from the Zhengzhou Open.

The US Open champion was due to make her debut at the WTA 500 hard-court event on Wednesday after accepting a late wildcard, but the injury she sustained during the China Open is more serious than first thought.

Gauff sustained the injury during her quarter-final win over Maria Sakkari on Friday and she again had to battle through the pain during her match against Iga Swiatek on Saturday.

The American required a medical timeout midway through the semi-final clash – which she lost in straight sets as Swiatek ended her 16-match unbeaten run.

After the match she admitted that “it’s not a terrible injury” and her team told her that she “will be fine with a little rest”.

However, the injury clearly needs more rest and Gauff has pulled out of the Zhengzhou tournament.

Gauff – who has climbed to a career-high No 3 in the WTA Rankings on the back of winning the US Open, Cincinnati Open and Citi DC Open – admitted during the China Open that she had already achieved her goals for the 2023 season, but believes she can up her level further.