"I love her; I love to see her do well, she loves to see me do well" - Coco Gauff on her relationship with Danielle Collins

Coco Gauff and Danielle Collins flew the flag high for the US at the Italian Open before bowing out in their respective semifinal encounters. While Gauff went down against Iga Swiatek, Collins lost to Aryna Sabalenka.

After her loss, Gauff was asked about the recent success of American players during her post-match press conference.

The youngster, while responding, was all praise for her compatriots Collins and Tommy Paul. She acknowledged the depth of American tennis, saying all the players push each other to be better.

"Well, I think today Tommy, he just played really well," Coco Gauff said. "I think Danielle Collins has been on a string of wins lately. I think we just all root for each other and push for each other."

Gauff also opened up about her friendship with Collins, saying she was someone who she always roots for.

Describing Collins as “great person”, the American said they grew closer after playing their last Billie Jean King Cup tie together and are always wishing well for each other.

"Specifically Tommy and Danielle are people that I always root for, even though I wouldn't necessarily say we're super close," Coco Gauff said. "We speak all the time."

"Danielle and I, I love her. Me and her got closer after the Billie Jean King Cup we did together. She's just a great person honestly. I love to see her do well. I think if you ask her, she loves to see me do well," she added.

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"I was hoping I could win today to play Danielle Collins in the final" - Coco Gauff after Italian Open exit

Danielle Collins at the Italian Open.

Danielle Collins had earlier in the year announced that 2024 would be her final season on the Tour as she plans to retire at the end of the season.

Touching upon the topic, Coco Gauff expressed her desire to have player her compatriot in the Italian Open — a match-up that could not materialise after the duo’s semifinal exits.

"I think it is a camaraderie," Coco Gauff said. "I think it does push us to be better. I think on clay people underestimate Americans and they think we hate the European swing. I was hoping maybe I could win and Tommy could win and it would be an American sweep."

"But if it's not me, I would love for it to be Danielle Collins," the youngster said. "If this is her farewell tour, I think she deserves it a lot. I was hoping I could win today to play her in the final."

Collina and Gauff will now shift focus to the season’s second Grand Slam event, the French Open, which gets underway with main draw action on May 26.