Coco Gauff began her US Open title defense with a commanding 6-2, 6-0 victory over Varvara Gracheva, marking a positive turnaround after a challenging season. Struggling with form in recent tournaments, Gauff found inspiration from a TikTok comment that encouraged her to treat the tournament as a 'victory lap' rather than a pressure-filled defense. The 20-year-old acknowledged the nerves that come with being a defending champion but emphasized the importance of enjoying the experience. Gauff's upcoming match against Tatjana Maria will test her resilience further, as she looks to regain consistency in her game. Despite earlier setbacks this season, Gauff's mindset and perspective shift may provide the boost needed for another successful run at the tournament. She also drew motivation from elite Olympic athletes, reinforcing that the pressures she faces are shared by others in competitive sports.