She believes that a player of Osaka’s caliber, against whom Gauff will not be a prohibitive favorite, will put her under far less pressure than having to duel with another underdog. The difference is especially germane because of Gauff’s situation, although Osaka is also justified in rolling the dice, feel free to hit without inhibition. She’s taken great strides of her own here in Gotham and has her own fish to fry.
“I’m honestly excited to play her now, because I feel healthy, and I just want to see what happens.”
Whatever the outcome, however far Gauff penetrates the draw, this tournament is already indelibly written into her mind.
“This whole tournament I think will stick for me the rest of my career, knowing that if I can get through, like, two tough matches feeling how I’m feeling, I know I can get through pretty much anything,”
Gauff said. “Regardless, I hope I get more Grand Slam finals and when those nerves come, I’ll recall this feeling and know that it probably can’t get much worse than this.”
She spoke those last words with a smile, a stark contrast to the tears she shed not so long ago.
