Coco Gauff said she is adopting a different mindset ahead of defending her French Open title at Roland-Garros this year. 

Gauff claimed her maiden French Open title 12 months ago after coming from a set down to beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-7 6-2 6-4. 

It was the first meeting between the world number one and two in the women's singles at Roland-Garros since 2013, and the American came out on top. 

She became the first player to win a women's singles final at the French Open after losing the first set since 2018, when Simona Halep triumphed against Sloane Stephens.

That achievement also saw Gauff become the youngest player to win the women's singles title at the US Open and Roland-Garros since Serena Williams in 2002.

But ahead of taking to the courts in Paris, with the tournament getting underway this Sunday, Gauff did not see the competition as purely based on defending her title.

"I realise that 'defending' means nothing in a way," Gauff said. "I don't really look at it as defending any more."

This is not the first time Gauff has been a defending champion heading into a major, having also won the US Open against Sabalenka three years ago. 

However, she was beaten in the fourth round by compatriot Emma Navarro 3-6 6-4 3-6, serving up 19 double faults at the Arthur Ashe Stadium the following year.

"At the US Open, I was like, 'I need to defend, defend'. When you're playing a tournament that you didn't win, what is it called?" Gauff added.

"That's why I just say now it's just another tournament: 'I won it last year. I'll try again to do it this year'. I'm not going to be able to defend every year. I'm not Rafa."

Gauff started the clay-court swing with early exits at both the Madrid and Stuttgart Open, but she did reach the final of the Italian Open last weekend. 

She was beaten in straight sets by Elina Svitolina, who claimed her third title in Rome with a 6-4 6-7 (3-7) 6-2 win. 

"There's a lot of positives I can take from this tournament, and a lot I can learn from," Gauff said after losing the showpiece match.

"This week I experienced all the ups and downs of a tournament. I've been down, had the lead, lost the lead. I've been in the final, been down match point.

"I think I've experienced every scenario that can prepare me for Roland Garros. Hopefully, I can actually learn from each scenario and do better."