Coco Gauff is gearing up for Wimbledon, spending the week before the tournament fulfilling sponsor commitments in London. She has played in just one warm-up event on grass, the Berlin Tennis Open.
What happened in Berlin?
Gauff received a bye in the first round and was beaten by Paula Badosa 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 in her opening match. In doubles, she and Jessica Pegula won their first match but were beaten in the next round.
How is Coco Gauff handling the heat?
Gauff described the heat as “rough” in everyday life, but said she was comfortable playing in it, having grown accustomed to such conditions in Florida. “Playing in it is not too bad because I’m from Florida, but just existing in it is rough because the A.C. is not in all places,” she said.
What's next for Coco Gauff?
Gauff will enter Wimbledon with relatively little match play under her belt on grass this season. Meanwhile, Naomi Osaka is taking a different approach, putting in the work in Bad Homburg to gain valuable grass-court preparation ahead of the Grand Slam.
Coco Gauff attended the launch of her New Balance x Miu Miu Wimbledon collection, where she was quizzed about the heatwave in London. The American star seems to be taking the heat in stride, having grown up training in Florida.
Naomi Osaka has made her grass debut at the ongoing Bad Homburg Open, where she is seeded sixth. Osaka has reached the quarterfinals in Bad Homburg after promising victories against Magdalena Fręch and Elise Mertens.
The European heatwave is affecting tennis players across the continent, with tournaments presently underway in France, Germany, and Great Britain. Players have been coping with the consequences of extreme temperatures, with some opting for cooling vests and others having to contend with suspended qualifying matches.
Coco Gauff's experience in Florida has prepared her for the heat, but she acknowledges that it can be challenging in everyday life. As she prepares for Wimbledon, Gauff will look to draw on her experience and training to navigate the challenging conditions.
The heatwave in London is expected to continue, with temperatures remaining high in the lead-up to Wimbledon. Coco Gauff will be looking to stay focused and prepare for the tournament, despite the challenging conditions.