Emotional Gauff blames switch from clay to grass for Wimbledon defeat

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Coco Gauff of the US (left) congratulates Ukraines Dayana Yastremska on winning their first-round match.

PHOTO: REUTERS

Summary

• Coco Gauff, the French Open champion, was surprisingly defeated in Wimbledons first round by Dayana Yastremska, 7-6(3) 6-1.
• Gauff felt overwhelmed after her Paris win, lacking time to adjust to grass, and suggested playing more matches before Wimbledon in future.
• Gauff expressed disappointment and the need for adjustments to succeed on grass, but remains optimistic about future Wimbledon performances.

AI generated

LONDON - A tearful Coco Gauff said she had not coped well with the switch from Paris clay to Wimbledon grass after she was dumped out of the championships in the first round on July 1.

The French Open champion looked uncomfortable under the roof on Court One and failed to find any serving rhythm as she succumbed 7-6(3) 6-1 to Ukrainian world number 42 Dayana Yastremska.

Gauff was eager to give her big-hitting opponent credit for the win but said she would probably change her tactics in future during the three weeks between Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

“I just feel like the surface I maybe could have used more matches. It’s like finding the puzzle,” the American second seed said.

“It’s a quick turnaround, so I think just trying to learn on whether it’s better to train more and maybe play Bad Homburg or Eastbourne.”

Gauff, 21, was knocked out in the first round at Berlin and had little other grasscourt practice before Wimbledon.

Her win in Paris was the second Grand Slam victory of her career following last year’s US Open