Even when a player is enjoying the highest moments of their career, they are never free from criticism. Top WTA stars like Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Iga Swiatek have always been subjected to such criticism. Opening up about how she deals with the doubters, Gauff not only condemned the criticism but also defended her fellow tourmates.

“Honestly, I just take it and eat it,” she said in a post-match press conference after the Cincinnati Open final. “No, I mean you have a bad couple weeks on Tour, people say it’s over and all this stupid stuff. Our season is from January to November.”

“There’s players who have played incredible throughout the whole season, like Iga (Swiatek) for example and Aryna (Sabalenka) and it’s normal for someone to reach a tough moment. No one’s going to be great all 10 or 15 years of their career. It’s just literally impossible.”

This statement comes after Gauff clinched the title in Cincinnati. This was a much-needed triumph for her as it’s her first of the season. She had come under scrutiny at times for her form this season, but she has turned it around in the hard-court season.

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The American began the swing by reaching the semifinals of the National Bank Open. Her campaign was brought to an end by Elena Rybakina through a 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 defeat. But Gauff didn’t lose her composure and came back even stronger in Cincinnati.

She defeated players like Marta Kostyuk and Sara Bejlek on her way to the final. She met her compatriot Jessica Pegula in the final and defeated her 6-2, 6-4 to capture the title and silence all her critics.

Notably, Iga Swiatek had recently done the same at the National Bank Open. Having not won a title until that point, there were serious doubts whether the Pole would be able to save her spot in the top 10. But she delivered big time in Toronto and had a campaign to remember.

Swiatek defeated players like Kostyuk, Diana Shnaider, and Elina Svitolina to reach the final. She then made light work of Rybakina in the final and won it 6-2, 6-3. After winning the title, she too called out her doubters and gave them a fitting reply.

“I’m really happy about this tournament. It means so so much to me,” she said in her winning speech at the National Bank Open. “These past months were not easy. I’m really happy I kept focusing on growing, changing my game a little bit, improving, despite all the opinions many people have about me every day on the internet. It’s not easy to deal with all of that. I’m happy the reality is different.”

It is clear that constant criticism can take a mental toll on players at times, and this can lead to their form deteriorating even further. But at times, it also helps players push their limits just to prove their doubters wrong. That is exactly what has happened in Gauff and Swiatek’s case. They will be aiming to continue this run of form at the US Open.