Coco Gauff’s run at the Italian Open came to an emotional end as she fell short in the final against local favorite Jasmine Paolini. Despite entering the match with strong momentum, Gauff was overpowered in straight sets, losing 6-4, 6-2. This marks her second WTA final defeat, the first coming at the 2022 French Open against Iga Swiatek.
Following the loss, Gauff expressed her frustration, stating, “I hate losing a lot, and especially in finals, because it’s like you’re so close.” Still, her response to defeat was marked by grace and maturity. She warmly congratulated Paolini during the trophy ceremony, calling her an “incredible person and player” and wishing her luck in the doubles final—a moment that captured Gauff’s trademark sportsmanship.
Throughout the tournament, the American star defeated several top players including Zheng Qinwen and rising talent Mirra Andreeva. However, Paolini proved too strong in the final. Fueled by a supportive home crowd, the 29-year-old Italian secured her place in history as the first Italian woman in 40 years to win the Rome title, joining the likes of Raffaella Reggi.
Gauff also took time to reflect on her performance and acknowledged an area that continues to plague her game: the serve. She noted that double faults have been a recurring issue this season—racking up 151 in just 26 matches prior to the tournament—and admitted they contributed to her struggles in Rome. In her semifinal match against Zheng Qinwen alone, she committed 15 double faults.
While her overall form has shown promise, including powerful groundstrokes and smart court movement, Gauff emphasized that her second serve needs significant improvement. She stated, “If I want to make it to the next level, it’s definitely something I have to improve.” She also highlighted the slow court conditions in the semifinals, which contributed to a high number of unforced errors.
Despite the disappointment, Gauff leaves Rome with a positive mindset. Heading into Roland-Garros as the second seed, she remains one of the top contenders for the French Open title. With her talent, drive, and ability to learn from tough losses, a Grand Slam breakthrough may just be around the corner.