Coco Gauff keeps Prakash Amritraj on his toes after return to Rome final: "Do I look like Raven-Symoné to you?"

ROME—Coco Gauff arrived to the Tennis Channel desk Thursday with her “most satisfying” win of the week after returning to the Internazionali BNL d'Italia final.

The 22-year-old had hoped to be out on court again in the evening following her 6-4, 6-3 dismissal of Sorana Cirstea, but instead began her media activities with the network when doubles partner Caty McNally withdrew ahead of their scheduled quarterfinal.

“Unfortunately Caty had to pull out of doubles. I was looking forward to doing that right now instead of being here. No offense, sorry!” she laughed when chatting with Prakash Amritraj.

Looking relaxed on set, that wasn’t the only time the American kept Amritraj on his toes. He asked Gauff—a known movie aficionado—if she had seen “Michael”, the Michael Jackson biopic. Confirming she had, Gauff praised the performance of lead Jaafar Jackson and how she learned more about the late performer.

Amritraj then revealed, “I heard it was brilliant.”

“Oh you didn’t see it?” she inquired.

Confirmed Amritraj, “I haven’t seen it yet!”

“Oh that’s bad,” chuckled Gauff.

The world No. 4 is through to her second WTA 1000 final of the year, having finished runner-up to Aryna Sabalenka at the Miami Open. Gauff put together her most complete performance of the tournament against Cirstea, avoiding going three sets for the first time since her opening win in the second round over Tereza Valentova.

“In those bigger points, I was able to be more steady and make it physical, not let her dictate. When you let her dictate, it’s really hard,” she commented. “I think my first-serve percentage was pretty high, so that was pretty important.”

Interjected Amritraj, “Almost 80 percent first serves in.”

“Oh cool, yay,” said a pleased Gauff, before adding, “I felt the difference when I was serving today versus my night match against Mirra. I was like,’ oh my serves are actually doing some damage on the court.’”

The No. 3 seed is seeking her first title since tasting victory in Wuhan last October. Gauff is also bidding to win her first WTA 1000 trophy on clay, as she awaits the winner of Thursday night’s showdown between Iga Swiatek and Elina Svitolina.

Asked by Amritraj which player would advance, Gauff replied, “I don’t know! You guys are asking me questions. I can’t see into the future, do I look like Raven-Symoné to you?” as more laughs erupted.

Gauff finished by filming a TikTok for Tennis Channel, and then moved on to her next media activity. It may not be the future she can see, but the present continues to look up and up for the reigning Roland Garros champion.