Coco Gauff’s brother’s CRAZY advice changed her mindset in Grand Slams

Coco Gauff talked about tricking-the-brain technique that she learned from her brother.

Coco Gauff’s brother’s CRAZY advice changed her mindset in Grand Slams

Coco Gauff with her brother (Image via X)

Reigning US Open champion Coco Gauff is a completely different player now to what she was some six months ago. She has that winning mentality now and it is showing in her performance at the 2024 Australian Open. The 19-year-old is already into the fourth round of the year’s first Grand Slam and she is yet to drop a set.

Gauff has defeated Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, Caroline Dolehide, and Alycia Parks so far at the 2024 Australian Open. She will next face Magdalena Frech in the fourth round. The fourth seed has looked flawless and unfazed so far in the tournament.

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As Gauff gets closer to the Australian Open title, she was asked about what goes through her head and how is it different from how she thought about playing in the latter stages of a Grand Slam tournament before winning her maiden Grand Slam title. While replying to this question, Gauff revealed how a piece of advice from her brother stuck with her and changed her mindset in Grand Slams.

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Have fun and relax. I think as you get later, the trophy obviously gets closer and closer. You have to treat it that it's as far away as it is if you're in the first round. That's what I approached that final. I didn't approach it as I just need to win two sets and I have it. I approached it as I need to win seven matches again and then I'll get it. It was actually something my brother told me, which is crazy.
Coco Gauff said. 
He told me, pretend that you have to win three sets instead of two. If you put your mindset into the extra mile, then it seems easier I guess in a way. He would say, Okay, if you want to win the Grand Slam, say you have to win eight matches instead of seven. It's like changing your mindset so it feels further.
Gauff further stated.

Coco Gauff reveals how her brother’s advice helped her win maiden Grand Slam title

Coco Gauff also talked about incorporating this advice from her brother and how it actually helped her win the US Open title. The 19-year-old revealed that she kept tricking her mind by shifting the goalpost further than it actually was.

Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff (Via NPR)

Gauff drew a comparison between her mentality at the French Open and the US Open. She said that while thinking about the title made her feel nervous at the Roland Garros, tricking her mind at the US Open made it easier. Gauff revealed that she tricked her brain by telling it that she had another set to win even when she was a game away from the title. 

I think at French Open I felt like it was so close, and I just got so tight. At US Open it just felt so far away from the very first point of the match literally until match point was over. 'Cause even though I had one more game to win, I was telling myself, Okay, you have a whole 'nother set to win. Well, not a set, but another set to win before you can get this trophy.
Coco Gauff explained.

The 19-year-old then talked about this tricking-the-brain thing in detail. Gauff said that as the mind controls the body, tricking it relaxes the nerves. Gauff said that although we know the reality, shifting the goalpost for the brain might eventually help.

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