American teenager Coco Gauff hopes a return to Paris will assist her rediscover the spark that has to this point been lacking throughout what has been a disappointing claycourt season.
Gauff, nonetheless solely 19, reached the French Open remaining final yr, shedding to Iga Swiatek, and can be seeded sixth for this yr’s match which begins on Sunday.
She managed solely three wins within the three claycourt occasions she has contested within the build-up and admits that she is a “totally different particular person” to the one which reached the ultimate as she makes the transition into maturity.
However being again within the French capital helps.
“I feel that I obtained right here sooner than most. My first hit was Monday and I used to be just about the third particular person within the locker room I feel the attendee instructed me,” Gauff instructed reporters.
“I feel I simply have to search out the way in which I need to method it for this model of myself now. That comes by way of trial and error. I really feel like for some cause, I all the time appear to search out that in Paris. I don’t know if it’s the town or the vibe right here that makes me much more relaxed.
“I don’t know if it’s as a result of I do know I must lock in for this match or if it’s simply I really like this metropolis.
“Just about after I contact down right here I simply really feel slightly bit extra relaxed than the earlier tournaments this season.”
Gauff has been working through the clay season with Serena Williams’ former coach Patrick Mouratoglou though she says she nonetheless doesn’t have a full-time coach.
“I’ve an ideal relationship with Patrick. I’ve recognized him since I used to be 10 years previous and clearly been on the courtroom with him earlier than,” she mentioned. “I believed he can be an ideal particular person to assist me throughout this time.
“I’m trying ahead to the following two weeks with him.”
Gauff faces Spain’s Rebeka Masarova within the opening spherical as she units her sights on one other long term, even when this time she is maybe slightly below the radar.
“I really feel fairly assured going into this match no matter how different folks view my sport. However none of that issues after I step on the courtroom,” she mentioned.