Gauff, who reached the Australian Open semifinals last year, had won her first nine matches of the season and capped off 2024 with a victory at the WTA Finals Riyadh. But she has also been keeping expectations low, as she retools her serve and forehand with a grip specialist.

“I take it with a grain of salt. Some people do mean well, so I don’t look at it as all bad,” Gauff added. “I’m proud of myself, and that’s all I can say.

“I promise that I’m going to continue to try my best to improve and live up to my own expectations of myself and whatever everybody else has I’ll … whatever. I can’t control that,” she said, smiling.

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Gauff was quick to give credit to opponent Badosa, who nearly a year ago was on the verge of considering retirement due to a lower back injury. Now, the Spaniard is projected to return to the WTA’s Top 10 for the first time since 2022 after recording her first run to a major semifinal—where the winner of Aryna Sabalenka and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova awaits.

“Paula was playing great. Maybe some moments in the first set could have gone my way, could have been a different outcome in the first set,” Gauff said.

“I think it’s just a lot more work to do, but I’m obviously disappointed, but I’m not completely crushed. I’m looking forward to a lot.”