Coco Gauff opens up on rankings and how she wants to end her career

The American gave an exclusive interview to Roland Garros, with just under three months until the tournament.

"I think just accepting the highs and lows," stated Gauff, when asked what she has learnt the most over the last year.

"I think sometimes in sports you want to just stay on the high and kind of ride that wave, but especially with this sport, a season as long as tennis, it's impossible to always be on that high wave, and there's going to be some low moments, I think.

"Just trying to stick through those tough moments and get better through them. Not feeling like the rest of the season is going to go that way. I feel like I'm able to turn it around. It's happened before. I think it just takes one match or two matches to kind of get that confidence back."

The American, who has been the top-ranked player in her country for a substantial period, is already a Grand Slam Champion, having also won multiple other big titles. However, Gauff has never reached the world No. 1 status.

"Honestly, it never meant anything to me," Gauff said when asked about being the American number one.

"I just feel like all the people say it online. And for me, it really means absolutely nothing. I don't like to look at it. I don't care.

"The reason it means nothing is because of the goal, obviously, is to be number one, period.

"But obviously, I am lucky to be surrounded by such great competition for my country. And all of us are friendly with each other and we root for each other. And I was just happy to see, Madison win and then seeing Amanda win - two people who I think rightfully and strongly deserve those titles."

Despite only being 21-years-old, Gauff also shared how she wishes to end her career, stating: "I guess the most important thing is just to not be physically burnt out, just because at the end of the day, when it's time to retire, I want to make sure it's on my terms and not because of an injury or anything like that.

"So I think it's just more so protecting my love for the sport and hopefully that it treats me with that love, too."

It is that love for the sport that Gauff attempted to reiterate during Indian Wells, as she stated during a press conference: "As I get older, honestly, I feel like I love the sport more than when I was 17, 18, just because I felt more pressure then because of how I just came and started."

Coco Gauff will next play at the Miami Open, taking place from March 18 - March 30.

READ MORE: Carlos Alcaraz has his eyes on the prize, not world number one Jannik Sinner