“I Feel Free” — Potapova Credits Austria Move After Knocking Out Gauff At Roland Garros

Anastasia Potapova stuns defending champ Coco Gauff

Potapova rallied past defending French Open champion Coco Gauff in 3 sets. The 25-year-old credits her nationality switch to Austria and strong clay form for the upset.

Potapova Says Austrian switch boosted confidence after Gauff ipset at French Open...

Anastasia Potapova said switching to Austria has made her feel free and boosted her confidence. The Russian-born player credited that new mindset after upsetting defending champion Coco Gauff at the French Open on Saturday.

The 25-year-old came back from a set down to defeat Gauff 4-6, 7-6(1), 6-4 in round 3. The win knocked out the No. 4 seed and continued Potapova’s breakout season since she began playing under the Austrian flag.

“I ‌think it's also being a coincidence, which is nice, but also at the same time I do feel free, I feel better, ‌I feel the support from Austrian people,” ⁠Potapova told reporters when ‌asked whether her improved results were linked to the move.

“For sure it's given me extra boost of energy to fight for those wins.”

Potapova started playing for Austria after gaining citizenship in December. She’s one of several Russian-born players who have changed nationality since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

This season she’s cemented herself as one of the WTA’s most consistent clay-court players.

Last month Potapova made history as the first lucky loser to reach a WTA 1000 semi-final. Her surprise run in Madrid included wins over ex-world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova, former French Open champ Jelena Ostapenko, and world No. 2 Elena Rybakina.

Potapova moves on and upsets Gauff 🤯 🤯 #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/FOLGuABEZp

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 30, 2026

When asked what’s behind her sudden surge, Potapova pointed to several factors.

“I've been here for 10 years on tour. This is the first time I managed to do this well and stay this consistent,” ‌she said.

“Maybe it's a combination of everything, of the experience ​that I have from previous years, of also a ‌maturity that I grown up, that I changed the mentality in my head.

“We switched a lot of things with my team. I switched my team, first of all, and then we started to work on ⁠the new things. I ⁠think it's just giving ‌a positivity now.”