Looking for her third Grand Slam title, Coco Gauff is set for her seventh appearance at the Australian Open.
Gauff’s best run in Melbourne came in 2024 when she made it to the semifinals, only to fall to Aryna Sabalenka, who went on to win the title.
There are a few familiar faces standing between the 21-year-old American and another deep run, with the likes of Marketa Vondrousova, Mirra Andreeva and fellow American Emma Navarro all lurking in her section of the draw.
If she gets through to the semifinals again this year, another match-up with Sabalenka could be on the cards. The world number one will be determined to reclaim her crown after losing it last year.
Reflecting on her previous Australian Open results, Gauff is gearing up for her campaign Down Under.
Coco Gauff looks back on her Australian Open results
During her pre-tournament press conference, Gauff was asked how she manages to find satisfaction in deep runs at majors without taking the title. She replied: “Yeah, it is crazy. Like, I guess, yeah, I should be proud of the semifinal result here (smiling).
“I was explaining this, actually, to my friend. I was just like, Yeah, after winning, nothing feels as satisfying as that.
“I think the only thing that I would be satisfied with is making a quarterfinal at Wimbledon because I’ve lost [in the] fourth round so many times.
“I think that would be like the only non-win result I would be completely satisfied with.
“It doesn’t mean I’m not proud of myself if I lose. Even the year I lost in the semis (of the Australian Open), I was proud of that tournament. I think it’s more than just a satisfying feeling – it’s two different feelings.
“I am always generally proud of myself in most tournaments, even if I don’t do well. Definitely not satisfied unless you win.”
Coco Gauff looking for greater consistency in 2026
Gauff picked up another major in 2025 at Roland-Garros, but exited Wimbledon in the first round and the US Open in the fourth.
“It definitely is a goal to be more consistent. But, I mean, for me, I just look at it as life,” she explained.
“There are 25, 26, most areas in life you’re a 25-year-old or 26-year-old is more consistent than a 21-year-old. I kind of look at that. But also knowing that I do want to be more consistent. I want to give it my all in each match.
“I think it’s more so I feel like more that stemmed from like my serve, having good days and really bad days.
“So I think the more that stroke becomes more consistent, the more my results will become more consistent.”
Gauff begins her Australian Open campaign against Kamilla Rakhimova.
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