Tearful Coco Gauff reacts to shock defeat to Jelena Ostapenko at Australian Open 2023 – ‘It was rough’

Coco Gauff became visibly emotional as she reflected on her surprise fourth-round Australian Open defeat to Jelena Ostapenko.

The 2017 French Open champion was at her very best to knock out Gauff, the world No. 7, in straight sets as she brought an abrupt end to the American’s impressive unbeaten start to 2023.

“I think I worked really hard, and you know, I felt really good coming into the tournament,” an already visibly emotional Gauff said.

“I still feel really good, I feel like I’ve improved a lot. When you play a player like her, you feel like there is nothing you can do, but I wouldn’t say nothing because every match you play a part in…but it was rough, so it is a little bit frustrating on that part.

“I’m excited to play doubles. I think it gives me a chance to still be around, and I think I just enjoy competing in general, so I think it will help me regardless, just let me play with some frustration.

“Doubles has taught me how to play after losing, how to play with frustration, and that’s what I felt like today. I was frustrated so that will help me in the future, and bouncing back from a loss is difficult in a Grand Slam.

“But I’m hoping I can help her, and I hope she continues well in the tournament. Now that I’m out, I hope she wins it. I knew we would probably face each other if we kept winning, but now I’m rooting for her all the way.”

“She is such a great player,” Ostapenko said of Gauff after the match.

“Super young and she’s playing really well and fighting until the very last point, but I really had nothing to lose. I just went there and tried to show my best and try to fight for every point and make it hard for her. I’m really happy with the win.

“I had to stay positive all the time and I knew I had to play aggressively to beat her. I was trying to step into the court.

“Even if I missed some balls I knew if I did everything right I would put some balls in the court. In the end, I kept her under so much pressure and it brought me a win.”

On playing Rybakina next, she said: “I think she serves well. It’s most important to play my game again, [play] aggressively and keep her under pressure. We’ll see what happens, I’ll just try to enjoy it as much as possible.”

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