Cinematic Serial Killer Gauff on Killer Instinct
By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Monday, October 30, 2023Don't let her charming smile fool you: Coco Gauff is already creating a nightmare in Cancun.The 19-year-old Gauff showed killer instinct scoring a gripping 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 triumph over Aryna Sabalenka to capture her maiden major title at the US Open.Sabalenka: Only the BeginningGauff is channeling cinematic serial killer—Freddy Krueger—in her WTA Finals return in singles and doubles.The US Open champion has a passion for Halloween and persuaded (read: strong-armed) her family to dress as famous film serial killers with Coco Gauff opting to dress as the menacing man from A Nightmare on Elm Street."Your worst nightmare," Gauff captioned her Krueger-themed Instagram post.
My favorite Halloween costume I've done as a family was a Scooby-Doo one a couple years ago. I thought that was pretty cool. For me, I did like the moon — I don't know. I think I did Thor a while ago, and Raven last year was really cool. Then Freddy Krueger was obviously last minute. My brother wanted to be Chucky for Halloween. I said, We should all be fictional serial killers, and that's what we did."Weeks after her Flushing Meadows dream run, Gauff is in full nightmare mode in Cancun.While several players have said the blustery Cancun conditions can create unpredictable—and sometimes unsightly—tennis, Gauff is trying to look on the bright side of the bluster.The Delray Beach-born baseliner is hoping a lifetime of training amid the windy, humidity of Florida can help prepare her for Cancun.The primary focus, Gauff said, will be to accept the chaotic conditions as part of the challenge, move her feet fast and attack the ball to reduce wind-blown errors."I think the most important thing is just how you respond mentally, accepting it for what it is," Gauff said. "You're going to miss some, you're going to make some. You're going to win some points because of luck, because of the wind, and you're also going to lose some."Obviously just moving your feet as much as possible, trying to arrive to the ball as early as I can. I think those are the keys that I think will matter the most this week."