Coco Gauff Embraces Her Clay Court Roots as She Storms into French Open Last 16
Red clay isn’t just another surface for Coco Gauff—it’s home. “Red clay is honestly something that I grew up on, something I’ve been playing on since I was ten years old,” she revealed in a candid moment last year with Olympics.com. From her first junior Grand Slam to her first major final, the clay courts have witnessed many of her breakthroughs. But ironically, it was on the hard courts of the 2023 US Open—far from her beloved clay—where she claimed her maiden Grand Slam title. While the fans weren’t surprised, Gauff herself was.
Now, Gauff is reminding the tennis world why clay still feels like destiny. On Saturday, she defeated Czech player Marie Bouzkova 6-1, 7-6(3), securing a spot in the last 16 of the French Open. It marked her first win over Bouzkova after losing their previous two encounters. Though the match tightened in the second set, Gauff stayed undefeated in sets this tournament.
In a post-match interview on TNT with Bleacher Report, Gauff made a striking confession: she always believed her first Grand Slam would be on clay. “I thought it was hard just being American, and I always thought for some reason my first slam would be on clay,” she admitted. “So that US Open was very lowkey a shock to me too. I definitely think clay is my best surface.”
Though her US Open win was a career-defining moment, it came after years of fans picturing her breakthrough on red dirt. She had once sat in the crowd at Flushing Meadows as a young girl, watching Serena and Venus Williams. In 2023, she stepped into their legacy, defeating Aryna Sabalenka in a comeback 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 win to become the first American teen to win the US Open since Serena in 1999.
“Thank you to the people who didn’t believe in me,” Gauff said after lifting the trophy. “So three weeks later, I’m here with this trophy right now.” Her words silenced critics and fueled a new era of belief—not just for herself, but for the fans who always saw greatness in her.
Back on clay at Roland-Garros, Gauff looked at home in her third-round match. She surged through the first set in just 30 minutes, taking 12 of the first 15 points. The second set was a different story. Bouzkova led 5-3, 30-0 at one point, but Gauff’s relentless defense and athleticism turned the tide. She saved key points, chased down drop shots, and sealed rallies with signature overheads.
Gauff ended the match with 22 winners, won 11 of 14 net points, and credited her serve adjustments for the win. “Just keeping the aggressive mindset is something that I can do better for the next match,” she reflected.
Now, she faces 20th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in the round of 16. With momentum building and the red clay beneath her feet, could this finally be the year Coco Gauff fulfills her long-standing clay court prophecy? Many believe the stars are aligned.