Coco Gauff downplays icy handshake with Iga Swiatek at United Cup

Coco Gauff denied there's animosity between herself and world No.2 Iga Swiatek, following their awkward handshake at the United Cup.

Ahead of her first round clash on Monday morning against fellow American Sofia Kenin in what will be her first appearance at a major since she accumulated 19 double-faults in a fourth-round loss at last year's US Open, Gauff downplayed Swiatek's reaction at the net after the American's victory at the United Cup.

Gauff said the team element might have contributed to the cold exchange and the two had spoken about it since.

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"Obviously, we had a moment but, no, we talked about it afterwards, and it was nothing personal," Gauff said in Melbourne ahead of her first round clash.

"It was a heat of the moment type of situation and I felt like as tennis players, we're not used to playing for our country.

"And that was my first time playing the United Cup.

"It meant a lot to us to win, but it probably would [have meant] even more for them to win.

"It was just … we wanted to win bad, they wanted to win bad. You know, healthy competition."

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Gauff said the digging gesture she made to her teammates courtside before approaching the Polish star at the net, was in reference to how they "dug deep" to secure the win.

Gauff holds a 3-11 record against Swiatek but she has won her past two, with the other coming at the WTA Tour finals in Saudi Arabia in November.

"I never really focus on it [head to head] except maybe her. If you play someone and lose so many times, you have that thought in your head," she said.

"It [now] definitely gives me more confidence on court against her."