Coco Gauff Reveals How She Manages to Remain Gracious After Defeats: “I Am Not a Fan of Salty Handshakes”

Coco Gauff is one of the few players who doesn’t attract controversy due to her conduct on court or with her opponents. She did make global headlines when she obliterated her racket after her defeat to Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals of this year’s Australian Open.

The 22-year-old, however, did not break it on the court. She wanted to do it away from everyone’s sight, only to realize later that the cameras captured her every moment. The two-time Grand Slam singles champion is also not a fan of salty handshakes after defeats.

Gauff is in New York for the US Open, where she clinched her career’s first Grand Slam title back in 2023 by defeating World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka. At the pre-tournament press conference, Gauff was asked how she is able to remain gracious after her defeats.

I definitely think it is important. For me, I’m not a fan of salty handshakes or things like that. If there is a salty handshake, it’s not because I initiated it. I’m always a person who, unless… It’s never happened to me, but unless someone did something so disrespectful, then ok, maybe there will be one, but it’s never really happened to me on the court or off the court.

The American ace will also be bidding to win her second title of the season after ending her title drought in Cincinnati. She beat countrywoman Jessica Pegula in straight sets, winning her first title since her win at the 2025 Wuhan Open.

I think it’s just important to show young kids to be gracious in defeat. Even if you’re not in sports, you’re gonna experience failure at some point in your life. You just have to know how to take it with your chin held up high, give that person their props, and try again next time.

Coco Gauff added

Gauff will kick off her campaign against Zeynep Sonmez. Last year, four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka ended her campaign in the fourth round.

John Isner backs Coco Gauff to win the US Open

Coco Gauff has entered the US Open with a lot of confidence thanks to her win in Cincinnati, believes former ATP player John Isner. And this is why he backed her to win the title ahead of defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, who lost in the fourth round of both the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Masters.

Her forehand looked great. It had so much margin and it just looked everything in her game looked completely under control. She was serving well. She was serving well on the first serve. The second serve, you didn’t really have any, you know, when she would toss it up, you kind of had full confidence that she was going to make a solid second serve, moving so well. Her backhand has always been her best shot. So, like, never to worry there. But, it’s her serve and her forehand that have gone awry the last couple years in big moment moments. Not the case at all. She was dominant.

John Isner said on the Nothing Major podcast

Sabalenka has reached just one semifinal since winning the Miami Open by beating Gauff. It was also her third title of the season in her fourth final, as the 28-year-old won the Brisbane International and the Indian Wells Open. At the US Open last year, she defeated home favorite Amanda Anisimova and defended her title. She, in fact, will be chasing her third consecutive title in the New York Major.

Gauff will reach her career-best ranking of No.1 if she clinches the title and World No.2 Elena Rybakina loses before the semifinals. Four-time Grand Slam singles champion Sabalenka will only be able to maintain her ranking if she defends her title.

Also read: Aryna Sabalenka Embraces the Noise Over Her Bold US Open Wardrobe: “They Always Complain”