Coco Gauff posts on social media after her exit from the Australian Open as she sends message to her critics
Coco Gauff is aiming for a strong response on court following her Australian Open exit.
The was regarded as one of the tournament favourites given her unbeaten start to 2025 and having won her last two tournaments.
The American reached the last eight at Melbourne Park and looked poised to set up a semi-final showdown against World number one Aryna Sabalenka.
But Paula Badosa had other ideas, as she handed Gauff her first defeat of the season and brought her title hopes to a premature end.
Coco Gauff sends message to fans following Australian Open exit
After a tough summer in which she failed to progress beyond the fourth round of five successive tournaments, Coco Gauff soon reminded everybody why she is one of the world’s best players.
Following the 2024 US Open, she lost just two matches and claimed the China Open and WTA Finals to end the campaign.
In 2025, Gauff did drop a set until her 5-7, 4-6 defeat to Badosa, a match in which she committed an alarming 41 unforced errors.
The 11th seed seized her opportunity to reach her first Grand Slam semi-final while Gauff has since flown back home to Florida.
Though disappointed to leave the tournament early, Gauff vows to get back winning ways after posting a simple three-word statement alongside two pictures of her from the tournament. “Back to work,” she wrote.
In a separate post, Gauff posted a video made by a fan of her training as a youngster before it transitioned to her competing on the WTA Tour, with a defiant message to her detractors.
She wrote alongside the video: “I’m very proud of myself. I don’t care what ya’ll say… a lot more to do but I am proud.”
Coco Gauff outlines how she needs to play as the 2025 season progresses
Gauff has certainly been working hard to improve her game following an inconsistent 2024 season in which she did not win a Grand Slam.
Since working with coach Matt Daly, Gauff has changed her grip and though she is an excellent defender, she is trying to play more aggressive and front foot tennis.
Improvements have been made following her results of late, but there is still work to do. “I have to be aggressive,” Gauff said after losing to Badosa. “I feel like that’s when I’m playing my best.
“That’s how I won most of the matches so far the last few months is by playing aggressive. I think it’s just being more comfortable with that.”
She added: “I’m making a shift in my game. I haven’t always played that aggressive, so I have to expect [losses] early on. I do have faith that it will be more of an instinct instead of second guessing.”
