THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 6, 2026

Coco Gauff

Press Conference

C. GAUFF/B. Bencic

4-6, 6-3, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Give us your thoughts on the match this evening.

COCO GAUFF: It was, I think, a high-quality match from both of us. It was a thriller, honestly. I think this was so far my best match of the tournament, probably one of my best grass matches ever. I'm definitely proud with the level I brought today.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Were you ever a basketball player, shots at the buzzer? Feeling like LeBron tonight?

COCO GAUFF: Honestly, I was thinking like it is basketball with the time. I don't know if I have like a favorite, but actually Kawhi Leonard, when he hit the one that, like, double twice in. I forgot which team it was, but I think it was to make it to the finals. I think that's probably my favorite one I watched live. Kind of reminded me of that a little bit.

Q. Did you play as a kid?

COCO GAUFF: I did play basketball as a kid. I did not hit any buzzer-beaters.

Q. Were you thinking about it? Were you trying not to think about the time?

COCO GAUFF: Honestly, I was thinking about it the whole match. I don't know if I went to it, but before the match, they told both of us at 11:00, da-da-da, the whole spiel.

Then we started the first set, I think it was like 10:05. No, we started the third set at 10:05. It should be enough to finish this set, but I don't know. Then we had a couple long games. The next thing you know, it's 10:45, and I was like, Oh, my goodness.

I did not want to come out here tomorrow. I was just trying to get up a break and stay up a break 'cause I was like, I'd rather come out here on serve up a break instead of the other way.

Yeah, I didn't realize that once we started the last game that, however long it took, we would be allowed to finish. I thought literally at 11:00 it was wraps. It was good to know for next time that I don't have to rush as much.

Q. They didn't tell you?

COCO GAUFF: They told us before the match that at 11:00 they would stop it. They didn't tell us one more game or anything like that. If they did, I didn't see it.

Q. You said it's one of your best grass matches. Do you feel like you unlocked something about your game?

COCO GAUFF: Yeah, I thought today I was hitting my forehand a lot better, being aggressive with it at moments.

Honestly, playing someone like her on grass is not sometimes the best matchup for me. Super flat hitter. The grass just enhances it more. I think it definitely gives me confidence knowing I can. I feel like a lot of the baseline exchanges I was winning. It wasn't all me defending, things like that.

I feel like today gave me a lot of confidence. Even if I did lose the match, I still think I would have walked away with some confidence.

She made the semis here last year. This is a tournament she's pretty comfortable at.

Q. You got Jessica Pegula next. How do you feel going into that match?

COCO GAUFF: Honestly, it's going to be kind of similar. It will be the third flat hitter I've played in a row. I think the last two matches I've had definitely gave me prep for her.

Yeah, she's always a tough opponent for me. I think she's really consistent and gets a lot of balls back and can also play really aggressive, too.

I think it's just going to be another one of those where I just have to be in it from start to finish.

Q. Your serve was great. How good are you feeling about your serve?

COCO GAUFF: Yeah, I think it was good for the most part. I had that one game that I don't even know how I won where I doubled so many times. Then I was able to find it.

A lot of doubles were like this long, so I think for me it's better. I was able to find it. Yeah, after that game, I think it was pretty much smooth from there.

I feel like I want to be more consistent getting the big serves, but also I think what I learned from my last match against Claire not only going big, because great returners start to catch on it. I was trying to mix it up today and really keep her guessing.

Q. In general life, are you a night owl?

COCO GAUFF: Yeah, usually I am a night owl. Most every day I'm going to sleep midnight or later, if I don't have an early wake-up. The days I do have an early wake-up, I literally have to force myself to start winding down around 10:00.

Q. Do you think maybe they should try the idea of time running out?

COCO GAUFF: Probably not because, it's tennis. I don't think I'm a big fan. You don't always feel the intention with serving out the match, but I felt I really did have to go big on my serve. I think I like to play with the freedom of no time limit.

Q. What has helped you to feel good about your forehand this week?

COCO GAUFF: I think just trying to work on the technical things we've been working on. Also just trusting it and believing in it. When I lose matches or get behind in matches is when I can get passive on it. I just accept I'm going to miss. There were some in the first set I missed because of maybe not committing fully.

After the first set I feel like almost every time I missed, on both sides honestly, it was because I was committing and I just missed my target.

I think it's a feeling I have to remember because sometimes I'm thinking, What if I made the shot? Also I'm like, I should just go for it. Anyways, if I just put it in, especially on the surface, I'm probably going to lose the point anyway. I'd rather commit and go for it.

Q. In the middle of a match is it easy to process what is a good miss?

COCO GAUFF: Honestly, I feel like it's something I can feel, too. You can feel when you're playing if you didn't commit to a shot or not. I don't really have the problem of always overhitting. I don't think I'm that type of player. For me it's making sure that I commit.

I'm sure there are some players who have to work on maybe not going too much. But I think I'm someone that has to constantly remind myself to keep going for it.

Q. We don't know where you're playing your quarterfinal net. Jess has never played on Centre Court. What might that be like? Advantage for you?

COCO GAUFF: Well, I don't think it would be an advantage if I played or not. Maybe if I'm playing first round and I'm playing someone who's younger and never really been in this circumstance or even quarters, I don't know, maybe someone younger. That doesn't always work. Maybe that.

But as far as Jess, no, she has too much experience on the big stages. I don't think that will play a role in the match at all.

It's kind of crazy. I've been lucky to play on that court. I don't know why. I never had a good track record here. It was kind of crazy.

I remember early in my career being surprised they scheduled me on first. Even the year when I was 15, they put me on Centre Court. I had one good match. I'm definitely honored to have good experiences on that court.

But it is crazy when you think about it, the careers Madi and Jess had.

I just say it's lucky. Maybe they like me here (smiling).