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Coco Gauff acknowledges that there is one crucial part of her game that is “something I know I have to improve and do better” following the Italian Open final.

The American reached back-to-back WTA 1000 finals as she lost in the Madrid Open final against Aryna Sabalenka at the beginning of May before going down against Jasmine Paolini at Foro Italico a fortnight later.

After surviving a three-hour, three-setter against Zheng Qinwen in the semi-final in Italy, Gauff was no match for the local hero in the final as Paolini won 6-4, 6-2.

There is no doubt Gauff was her own worst enemy, but she was quick to point out that her opponent forced her to make errors.

“Jasmine played I think great tennis today. I think it was one of her best levels today. I also didn’t play my best level. I think it’s both,” she said.

“It’s not to discredit my opponent. She forced me to play that way. Yeah, maybe I could have served better and put more balls in the court, could play better. I definitely could and can.”

Gauff served seven double faults in the final and 15 in the semi-final while her total unforced error count against Paolini was an astonishing 55 to go with the 70 against Zheng.

Asked if she was slightly concerned by those figures, the 21-year-old replied: “Yes and no. I knew today I was trying to be more aggressive because I felt like if I was being passive, she would run me across the court.

“I think for me I guess, yeah, with the double-faults, it’s something I know I have to improve and do better. If I want to make it to the next level, it’s definitely something I have to improve.

“Unforced errors? I mean, I was just going for my shots. In the semi, I mean, there is context behind that in the semi-final. The court was super slow. We were both missing balls. It’s not so easy to hit a winner. The only way to win the points is to force your opponent to make an error or they make an unforced error.

“Today I think it was just a tough day for me.”

Coco Gauff News

Coco Gauff

Points and money earned by Paolini, Gauff, Swiatek, Raducanu, Eala at Italian Open

Jasmine Paolini wins second WTA 1000 title, dominates Coco Gauff to lift Italian Open trophy

But there is no doubt Gauff’s performances in Madrid and Rome will give her a boost ahead of the French Open where she will be seeded second behind world No 1 Sabalenka.

She reached the semi-final at Roland Garros last year, the quarter-final in 2023 and finished runner-up to Iga Swiatek in 2022.

“I think it’s both confidence and motivation to do better. Hopefully I can get to the final in Roland Garros and maybe the ‘third time is a charm’ thing is a real thing. That’s looking so far ahead,” the American said.

“Overall I lost to two quality opponents, Aryna in Madrid and Jasmine here. So yeah, I think I have a lot to improve, a lot that I can work on.

“I made the final with those errors. Made the final maybe not playing my best tennis. It just gives me confidence if I can find that good form heading into Roland Garros, I can do well there.”

Italian Open 2025: How Much Money Will Coco Gauff or Jasmine Paolini Earn After Clinching the Title?

Clay is more like an Achilles’ heel for most American tennis players unless it’s Coco Gauff! She won her first career junior Grand Slam tournament title at the 2018 French Open, and then four years later, she reached the finals of the 2022 French Open. If we look at her performance this season, she was struggling a bit on the hard courts earlier, but on clay, she has yet again found her winning momentum. Gauff has a win-loss record of 11-2 on clay this season, and while speaking on her performance, she recently said, “There’s something about clay that I have always felt comfortable on. I feel like this year, more than ever, I am moving the best that I have, especially so early in the clay season.” After reaching the QF in Stuttgart, she has now made it to two consecutive finals (Madrid and Rome). Gauff will face Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in the final of the 2025 Italian Open, and guess what? There is a lot at stake for these two superstars in this match…

It’s time for a Buona Fiesta in Rome as the two Top 10 players face off against each other in a do-or-die match! Home-favorite Jasmine Paolini has now become the first home finalist on the women’s side in more than a decade, and she will be keen to clinch her third WTA title and her second at the WTA 1000 level. If she manages to seal a victory against Gauff, she will not only secure her first title on clay but also become the new world number 4! On the other side, irrespective of the result, Coco Gauff will return to her career-high ranking of number 2, replacing Iga Swiatek on Monday.

Other than that, in monetary terms, both Gauff and Paolini have already assured themselves €456,735 in prize money, and whoever wins the final will take home €877,390. Interestingly, despite a 2023 commitment of equal prize money for both men and women since the 2025 season, the tournament website confirmed that the prize money for the men’s winner will once again be a little higher than the women’s champion. In the previous season, Alexander Zverev took home €963,225, while Swiatek received €669,690. This year, although the gap has reduced quite significantly, with the men’s champion taking home €985,030 (around $1,123,566), it’s still not equal.

This has now indeed become the talk of the town before the finals. Now, coming back to the two finalists, Coco Gauff is currently ranked third in the world, and she has a net worth of $35 million. Gauff has an overall prize money of $23,817,810, and her earnings this season are $2,235,821. If we make a comparison, Jasmine Paolini (5) has a net worth of $4 million. She has an overall prize money of $9,765,349, with $1,295,362 (in 2025).

Who will add more to these numbers with a win on Super Saturday? It’s going to be Coco Gauff’s grit and resilience versus Jasmine Paolini and the Italian crowd! Gauff (21) has now become the youngest woman ever to reach the finals in Madrid and Rome. On the other hand, Jasmine Paolini is the third-oldest woman to reach her first Italian Open final. So, intensities are quite high, and also the stakes in this epic duel. What did both of these tennis stars say before the match?

Coco Gauff snatched a victory from the jaws of defeat in her previous match against the number 8, Qinwen Zheng. It took her 3 hours and 32 minutes to beat Zheng in the previous match by 7-6(3),4-6,7-6(4) in the SF. Following this match, Gauff admitted that she wasn’t at her best level, but she was happy to be in yet another final.

Coco Gauff

With this win against Zheng, Gauff became the first American woman in nine years to reach the Rome final, and now she will look forward to clinching the title for the first time (as an American woman’s player) since Serena Williams’ heroics in 2016. On the other hand, Jasmine Paolini became the first Italian women’s singles champion at this event since Raffaella Reggi in 1985.

Talking about their H2H record, although Gauff has a 2-1 lead over the Italian, Paolini had the last laugh in the 2025 Stuttgart Open. She defeated her in the QF of the Stuttgart Open by 6-4,6-2. While sharing her thoughts about their previous encounter and this upcoming battle, Coco Gauff said, “[The Stuttgart quarterfinal vs. Paolini] was a tough match. She played well. She’s a tough opponent. I think especially here with the home crowd behind her, she’s going to be playing some great tennis. I have to expect that. Hopefully, I can bring a better level and hopefully win the title. If not, I’m proud just really of this [semifinal] match, too.

On the other hand, the 2024 French Open champion, Jasmine Paolini, said, “I’m trying to be in the mindset that last year was a great year, but it give me a lot of confidence.” Who has the real edge in this battle on the red clay court? Share your thoughts in the comment box.

The sixth WTA 1000 title of the season is up for grabs, and we’ll have a blockbuster clash to determine the winner.

Home favourite Jasmine Paolini will face World No.3 Coco Gauff in Rome on Saturday as both look to secure their first titles of the season.

No.4 seed Gauff battled into her second straight WTA 1000 final of the season after she survived a marathon against Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Paolini denied an All-American showdown when she beat Peyton Stearns to secure her place and become the first home finalist on the women’s side in Rome for 11 years.

“I am very happy, I don’t know what to say! It’s a dream to be here, it’s a dream to play in Italy, it’s a dream to be able to play the final,” she said.

“You (the crowd) gave me a boost because today it was a bit of an uphill start and I struggled at the beginning, thank goodness you were there.

“We won this match together. Point after point I managed to fight, to turn it around, even if at the beginning I did not have a good feeling. But I am happy with the way I managed to turn this match around.”

The stakes are huge too, with the singles with the champion set to pocket 1,000 ranking points and just under a million dollars, $977,942 to be exact.

Gauff and Paolini haven’t played each other much on tour, but it’s the Italian who should feel the most confident.

Just last month, Paolini beat the American in Stuttgart on clay with a 6-4. 6-3 victory.

“[The Stuttgart quarterfinal vs. Paolini] was a tough match. She played well. She’s a tough opponent,” Gauff said.

“I think especially here with the home crowd behind her, she’s going to be playing some great tennis. I have to expect that.

Coco Gauff

“Hopefully I can bring a better level and hopefully win the title. If not, I’m proud just really of this [semifinal] match, too.”

However, it’s still Gauff who holds the advantage in their head-to-head, leading 2-1.

She beat Paolini on hard courts in their first two matches at Adelaide in 2021 and Cincinnati in 2023.

Saturday’s final will also have some consequences when it comes to the record books.

Should Paolini win the tournament, she will become the first Italian women’s singles champion in Rome since Raffaella Reggi in 1985, 40 years ago.

She also has experience of lifting a trophy at this tournament, although it was in doubles.

Paolini and Errani were champions last year — beating Gauff and New Zealander Erin Routliffe in the final.

While Gauff is looking to become the first American champion since Serena Williams defeated Madison Keys in 2016.

A title will also be Gauff’s first championship on this surface since her 2021 WTA 250 win in Parma.

Emma Raducanu vs Coco Gauff LIVE: Italian Open latest score and updates from blockbuster last-16 match

Raducanu and Gauff meet for just the second time with a place in the Italian Open quarter-finals on the line

Emma Raducanu takes on Coco Gauff in the Italian Open last-16 as two young stars battle for a place in the quarter-finals in Rome.

Raducanu fought from behind to claim an impressive win over Veronika Kudermetova on Sunday, managing to keep her composure and cool after losing the first set and only dropping one more game from there as the 22-year-old earned a 5-7 6-0 6-1 win.

The Briton was surprised afterwards as she was told her next opponent was American star and fourth seed Gauff, who has more experience and pedigree on clay after reaching a French Open final and playing in the Madrid Open final last week.

This will be just the second time Raducanu has played Gauff, with the American winning a second-round match at the Australian Open in 2023. If Raducanu wins, she will retake the British No 1 ranking from Katie Boulter, in what would be a significant boost ahead of Roland Garros.

Elsewhere at the Italian Open, home favourite Jannik Sinner will return to action against Jesper de Jong. The World No 1 marked his comeback from a three-month doping suspension on Saturday in front of a raucous Rome crowd.

British No 1 on the line for Emma Raducanu

Emma Raducanu will retake the British No 1 ranking from Katie Boulter should she beat Coco Gauff and reach the quarter-finals of the Italian Open today.

Raducanu is currently 42nd in the WTA’s live rankings after progressing to the last-16 in Rome. Her live rankings total is 1259 and will go to 1354 if she wins another match.

That will move her above Boulter’s total of 1331 after she lost in the opening round of the Italian Open.

Raducanu could also earn a seeded position for the French Open if she reaches the semi-finals in Rome.

Coco Gauff, meanwhile, is guaranteed to move up to World No 2, with Iga Swiatek slipping to No 4 ahead of the French Open.

Jack Draper: ‘I get out of bed and I feel so angry some days’

Jack Draper suggested his new ranking of World No 5 contributed to his anger and frustration on court during his win over Czech qualifier Vit Kopriva yesterday.

Draper said: “I’m human. We don’t always wake up out of bed feeling great. I’m the same. I get out of bed and I feel so angry some days, and I’ve got to play a tennis match and I’ve got to lose points and I’ve got to go through those emotional ups and downs, even with that going on.

“I think I’ve played a lot of tennis, a lot of matches, and I’m getting used to that. I’m in a new position now, my ranking is obviously going up, and I’m getting to compete week in, week out and play lots of matches.

“It’s taking some getting used to for me from a mental and physical side, and I want to keep going, but it’s sometimes difficult to always be perfect.”

Jack Draper advances in Rome despite smashing racquet as ‘frustration boiled out’

Jack Draper admitted his frustration had boiled over after he smashed a racquet en route to beating Czech qualifier Vit Kopriva in straight sets at the Italian Open.

The British No 1 was a set and a break up but had passed up the chance to break Kopriva again to make it 4-2 when he angrily struck his racquet a number of times on the clay court.

The British No 1 has the chance to rise to fourth in the world should he reach the semi-finals in Rome

Emma Raducanu scolds opponent for trying to ‘throw me off’ with medical timeout

Emma Raducanu said she was proud of how she kept her focus as she came from behind to defeat Veronika Kudermetova and reach the last-16 of the Italian Open.

After losing the first set, Raducanu dropped just one game as the Briton surged to a 5-7 6-0 6-1 victory and booked a clash with fourth seed Coco Gauff in Rome.

Raducanu was pleased with how she bounced back from the first set and didn’t let Kudermetova back into the contest, believing the former World No 9’s medical timeout late in the second set was an attempt to “throw me off”.

Kudermetova went off court for several minutes as Raducanu was forced to wait, but the 22-year-old kept her composure and highlighted the “big progress” she has made.

Emma Raducanu scolds opponent for trying to ‘throw me off’ with medical timeout

Raducanu triumphed 5-7 6-0 6-1 over Veronika Kudermetova to set up a clash with Coco Gauff in Rome
Emma Raducanu bounces back against Veronika Kudermetova

Emma Raducanu set up an Italian Open last-16 meeting with Coco Gauff as she came from behind to beat Veronika Kudermetova in Rome.

After losing the first set despite serving at 5-4 up, Raducanu bounced back in emphatic fashion, seeing off her Russian opponent 5-7 6-0 6-1 in a contest lasting just over two-and-a-half hours.

The 22-year-old Briton told Sky Sports: “For me the best thing about today I think was recovering after losing the first set and having serve for it.

“I think I threw in a pretty poor game at 5-4 serving, but I felt under pressure on Veronika’s returns, she was literally red-lining everything and it was all going in and I was like ‘I don’t know where to serve’ and it’s not a nice feeling to have.

“I’m so happy with how I didn’t let the rest of the match get away with me. I think that’s a big progress compared to maybe the matches I played in the past.”

Italian Open order of play and schedule

CAMPO CENTRALE (Start 10:00 AM)

  1. Peyton Stearns (USA) vs. Naomi Osaka (JPN)
  2. [6] Jasmine Paolini (ITA) vs. [17] Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) (NB 11:30)
  3. [1] Jannik Sinner (ITA) vs. [LL] Jesper de Jong (NED) (NB 14:00)
  4. [29] Matteo Berrettini (ITA) vs. [6] Casper Ruud (NOR) (NB 18:00)
  5. [1] Aryna Sabalenka vs. Marta Kostyuk (UKR) (NB 19:30)

GRAND STAND ARENA (Start 10:00 AM)

  1. [LL] Hugo Dellien (BOL) vs. [7] Alex de Minaur (AUS)
  2. [20] Jakub Mensik (CZE) vs. Fabian Marozsan (HUN)
  3. [4] Coco Gauff (USA) vs. Emma Raducanu (GBR) (NB 14:00)
  4. Jaume Munar (ESP) vs. [22] Sebastian Korda (USA)
  5. Bianca Andreescu (CAN) vs. [8] Qinwen Zheng (CHN) (NB 17:30)

Emma Raducanu vs Coco Gauff start time

The last-16 match in Rome will be played after 2pm UK time and is scheduled third on the Grand Stand Arena.

It follows two matches in the men’s singles with seventh seed Alex de Minaur first facing the lucky loser Hugo Dellien and then Miami champion Jakub Mensik taking on the in-form Fabian Marozsan.

The action gets underway at 10am UK, so if De Minaur and Mensik can progress in good time then Raducanu and Gauff will take to court at 2pm, but it may be slightly later depending on the previous matches.

How to watch the Italian Open in the UK

The tournament is being shown on Sky Sports in the UK. Customers can also stream the action on Sky Go or Now TV.

Emma Raducanu vs Coco Gauff

Coco Gauff, 21, has more experience and pedigree on clay that the 22-year-old Emma Raducanu, having reached a French Open final and featuring in the Madrid Open final last week, where she lost to World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka.

The American also won their previous meeting in the second round of the Australian Open in 2023.

“I think I’m playing pretty good tennis right now and she is going to be a great test,” Raducanu added. “I mean she’s made the final of the French Open so she’s great on this surface.”

Good morning

Emma Raducanu said she was looking forward to a “great test” against Coco Gauff as the pair meet for just the second time and with a place in the Italian Open quarter-finals up for grabs.

Raducanu appeared to be surprised when she was told that her opponent in the fourth round was the fourth seed Gauff, having come from behind to defeat Veronika Kudermetova on Sunday.

“I haven’t looked at the draw to be honest but she’s a great competitor. Are you sure I’m playing Coco?” Raducanu said when being interviewed by Sky Sports.

Coco Gauff’s Epic Midnight Triumph in Madrid Ignites Fans into a Frenzy!

The tennis sensation Coco Gauff has once again left the world in awe with her remarkable performance at the Mutua Madrid Open. In a thrilling showdown against Dayana Yastremska, Gauff displayed her unwavering determination and fighting spirit as she clawed her way back from a disastrous 0-6 first set to claim victory with a stunning 0-6, 6-2, 7-5 comeback.

With the support of her loyal fans echoing in the midnight air, Gauff’s indomitable spirit shone through as she battled against her opponent and the odds. The World No. 4’s resilience and skill on the clay court have solidified her reputation as one of the brightest stars in the tennis world.

Not only did Gauff secure a hard-fought win on the court, but she also won the hearts of her fans off the court. After the match, a heartwarming moment unfolded as Gauff took to social media to share a touching interaction with fans who waited outside the stadium late into the night just to catch a glimpse of their favorite player.

Coco Gauff 
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This is not the first time Gauff has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from her fans. From surprise encounters at drive-thrus to dedicated followers getting tattoos of her signature, Gauff’s impact reaches far beyond the tennis court.

As she gears up to face fellow American Ann Li in the next round, Gauff’s journey in Madrid continues to captivate audiences worldwide. With her sights set on victory and the unwavering support of her fans propelling her forward, Gauff is poised to conquer new heights in her tennis career.

Stay tuned as Coco Gauff’s electrifying performances and heartwarming moments continue to light up the tennis world, leaving fans and critics alike in awe of her talent and charisma.

Coco Gauff does something for the first time since 2021 after beating Dayana Yastremska at the Madrid Open

Coco Gauff won her opening match of the 2025 Madrid Open but it was far from straightforward.

The American has struggled for form since her Australian Open quarter-final exit and once again she could not find her best tennis in the Spanish capital.

But as the 21-year-old has done so often in the past, she can find a way to grind out a result and that is exactly what she did against Dayana Yastremska.

After two hours and 22 minutes Coco Gauff completed a comeback victory and in the process secured her 15th match win of 2025.

What did Coco Gauff achieve for the first time since 2021 at the Madrid Open?

After a disappointing Stuttgart Open campaign, Gauff commenced her outdoor clay court season at the Madrid Open.

She took on Yastremska, who played for the third time in her career and for the second successive year in Madrid.

A year ago Gauff lost five games on the way to victory, but in 2025, she lost the first set without losing a game.

But Gauff rallied to take set two and the deciding set took more than an hour, as Yastremska saved three match points before Gauff claimed a decisive break for 6-5 and served out the match.

In a match where both players lost their serve in half their total service games, Gauff claimed a 0-6, 6-2, 7-5 win. This is just the second time in Gauff’s career that she has won a match after losing the first set 0-6.

This came at the 2021 Eastbourne International, when the World number four rallied to beat Belgium’s Elise Mertens.

Who will Coco Gauff play next?

Coco Gauff

Gauff kept her Madrid Open campaign alive and she will face her compatriot Ann Li.

The 24-year-old has built some momentum after winning her opening two matches at the WTA 1000 event.

Li began her campaign by defeating Aliaksandra Sasnovich, before recording an upset win over Leylah Fernandez.

Gauff and Li have played on two previous occasions, with the 2023 US Open winner prevailing on both occasions.

Their last match came in 2022 however, and both players have come a long way since then and this has the makings of a compelling matchup.

Coco Gauff could face a fellow Grand Slam champion in her first match at Indian Wells after the draw is made

Coco Gauff will be hoping for a change in fortunes after a disappointing Middle Eastern swing.

Gauff, who is the world number three, has struggled for form since reaching the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.

The American first played in Doha, where Gauff lost her only match to Marta Kostyuk in straight sets.

Even more concerns were raised for the former US Open champion in the following tournament, with Gauff making unwanted history in Dubai.

Despite her recent misfortunes, Gauff is not the only player struggling, with Aryna Sabalenka also finding wins hard to come by.

Gauff will make her return at Indian Wells, but has been handed a difficult draw in her opening match of the tournament.

Coco Gauff could face Emma Raducanu in the second round of Indian Wells

As the third seed Gauff receives an automatic bye to the second round, where she will play the winner of the match between 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu and Moyuka Uchijima.

Raducanu, who is without a permanent coach at the moment, has previously enjoyed the conditions at Indian Wells and reached the last-16 at the WTA 1000 tournament in 2023.

Gauff made the semi-finals for the first time last year, but Indian Wells may have a different feel in 2025 after the tournament altered its surface.

If she is able to overcome Raducanu or Uchijima in her second round match, Gauff could play two-time Indian Wells finalist Maria Sakkari.

Things won’t get much easier for Gauff with potential meetings against the likes of Qatar Open champion Amanda Anisimova, Australian Open champion Madison Keys and world number one Sabalenka.

Coco Gauff 
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If Gauff is to reach the Indian Wells final for the first time in her career she could face defending champion Iga Swiatek.

Indian Wells 2025 Coco Gauff’s Potential Opponent
First Round Receives a bye as the third seed
Second Round Emma Raducanu/Moyuka Uchijima
Third Round Maria Sakkari (29)/Olga Danilovic
Fourth Round Diana Shnaider (13)/Amanda Anisimova (17)/Anna Kalinskaya
Quarter-final Madison Keys/Emma Navarro (10)/Donna Vekic (19)
Semi-final Aryna Sabalenka (1)/Jasmine Paolini (6)/Daria Kasatkina (12)/Beatriz Haddad Maia (16)
Final Iga Swiatek (2)/Jessica Pegula (4)/ Elena Rybakina (7)/Qinwen Zheng (8)

Has Coco Gauff played Emma Raducanu before?

Gauff and Raducanu have played on one previous occasion in a match that came in the second round of the 2023 Australian Open.

It was Gauff who came out on the winning side of the match on that occasion, beating Raducanu 6-3 7-6(4) on Rod Laver Arena.

When speaking about the match in her post-match press conference, Gauff was full of credit for Raducanu and admitted that she was not surprised by the level that her opponent showed against her.

“I wouldn’t say anything surprised me because I feel like I’ve watched enough of her play,” Gauff said at the time. “I knew how she was going to come out.

“I definitely was impressed – well I wouldn’t say ‘impressed’ – but I knew she’s like a Grand Slam champion. I knew she had it in her. But she raised her level a lot towards the end of the second set.

“It takes a lot of resilience I feel like to do that, especially in the big stages and the big matches. When you’re down a set and a break, it’s easy to throw in the towel. I think she did a good job of raising her level when she needed to. Just honestly, tiebreakers can go either way, and it went my way tonight.”

The Indian Wells main draw gets underway on Wednesday March 5, with second round matches taking place from Friday March 7.

“Whether it’s box braids, twists, or my natural hair, it’s a form of self-expression that I’m really proud of,” Coco Gauff once said, and she continues to embody that pride with every new look. A rising force in the WTA, Gauff has navigated a sport where diversity is still growing, forging her path with resilience. But her journey is deeply inspired by Venus and Serena Williams, not just their Grand Slam success, but their fearless self-expression and style statements. With their game and their signature styles, the Williams sisters redefined tennis, and Gauff is carrying that legacy forward. Recently she even suggested combining her unique hairstyle with the long-standing legacy of the Williams sisters on the court.

In celebration of Black History Month, the World No. 3 and reigning WTA Finals champion Coco Gauff showcased a striking new hairstyle paying tribute to the legendary Williams sisters. Teaming up with Carol’s Daughter, Gauff unveiled a look featuring beaded cornrows; an affectionate homage to Serena and Venus, who famously made headlines in the early 2000s with their iconic beaded hairstyles in the tennis arena.

Just one day ago, the official page of Carol’s Daughter shared a collaboration video with Coco where she said, “I remember obviously watching Venus and Serena when I was young. This look is kind of a homage to them. They’ve always changed their hair. They had the beads, they had the braids, they had the curls, they had straight, they had everything.” The 20-year-old also talked about her journey as a black tennis athlete in the current generation. “When I became more aware of what I wanted to do with my hair, I was inspired by and took note of what they were doing with theirs.”

However, just as the video got online, the hair designer Yojanse Jimenez shared another video on his IG where Coco was flaunting her hair, captioning, “A crown braided in history. ✨ For @cocogauff, this beaded braid look is more than just a style—it’s a tribute to the legacy of Venus and Serena, who paved the way for champions like her. Honoring the past while celebrating the present, Coco continues to inspire the next generation with her talent, grace, and undeniable power. 🖤🏆”. Later, the 9-time WTA singles title winner shared the same video on her IG stories, adding, “#YojanseDidIt”.

Although Coco first burst onto the tennis scene in 2019, sporting ‘box braids’ at Wimbledon, by the 2023 US Open, she had switched to ‘cornrows’. “Honestly, I wanted to try this and I got tired of braids all the time. I like to change up my hair. I’ve tried color in the past with the braids and everything, but I just needed something different,” she even said at that time.

Her passion for hairstyling experimentation was amplified through a long-term collaboration with Carol’s Daughter, a brand renowned for its celebration of Black beauty. Even before their official collaboration, the current no. 3 had been a longtime user of the brand’s products, making the partnership feel like a natural fit.

This was, however, not the first instance of Coco Gauff paying tribute to the Williams sisters, notwithstanding her elaborate braided hairstyle.

Serena Williams and Coco Gauff

“Having role models like Serena and Venus to look up to made a difference” — Coco Gauff opens up about the Williams sisters

Coco Gauff has repeatedly emphasized the considerable impact of Venus and Serena Williams on her career, describing them as inspirational figures who facilitated her achievements. Featuring in a video clip by Baker Tilly US last year, the 2023 US Champion candidly reflected on her experience as a black athlete in a ‘predominantly white’ sport. She noted that a lack of local recognition for her on-court achievements during her youth highlighted the profound influence of pioneering figures like the Williams sisters on her career trajectory.

“Finding myself was difficult. Being Black in tennis is, sometimes you do stick out like a sore thumb. Like in the Black community, tennis is not a huge thing. Nobody really knew anything about it. I had mentioned that I play tennis but nobody cared,” she said.

Continuing further, Coco added, “But I feel like for me, having role models like Serena and Venus to look up to make a difference. Honestly, I just remember watching Venus at US Open. My dad got second-row tickets and we were so close and that was a cool thing,”.

On the court, Coco will next compete at the Indian Wells Open starting March 5th. Do you think she is a strong favorite for the title there?

Coco Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion and current World No. 3, once revealed who she believes is the GOAT of tennis.

Coco Gauff cemented her status as one of the top players in the world when she won her first Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open. The 20-year-old has been ranked as high as world No. 2 in singles, being world No. 1 in doubles, and has also won the WTA Finals, adding another major trophy to her cabinet. While she keeps building a career, the youngster made her feelings known about who should be called the “GOAT” in tennis.

“Serena is Serena. She’s the GOAT,” Gauff said of the younger Williams sister right after qualifying for the US Open final in 2023. “I’d hope to do half of what she did. But I’m not gonna compare myself to her,” she added.

“She’s my idol,” Gauff told the press. “The only regret I’ll have for the rest of my life is not being able to play her. There were so many tournaments where if we won an extra round and didn’t lose, I would’ve played her. But I’m still happy to just be a product of her legacy and be out here for American tennis.

When she won the US Open at 19 years old, Gauff became the first American teenager to win the title since Serena in 1999. While she said that Serena is the GOAT, Gauff has also expressed admiration for Venus, whom she beat in her first Wimbledon match back in 2019.

“They are the reason I picked up a racquet,” Gauff told UPI after her Wimbledon debut. Serena has supported Coco on several occasions, even attending her Round of 16 match at the 2024 US Open.

Coco Gauff Joins Iga Swiatek and Others To Hype WTA’s Brand New Move Which Is Set To Transform Women’s Tennis

The Women’s Tennis Association is on a roll, driven by innovative branding strategies and a talented pool of players. The WTA has enhanced its appeal through partnerships with CVC Capital Partners, aiming to elevate the sport’s commercial profile and accelerate growth since 2023. Charismatic players like Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek are also boosting the WTA’s allure. One might recall Gauff’s 2023 US Open final against Aryna Sabalenka drew a record 3.4 million viewers on ESPN, marking a 92% increase from the previous year’s women’s final between Swiatek and Ons Jabeur. The WTA is never short on offering fans compelling storylines and competitive matches throughout the year. And they don’t intend to stop just there!

On February 24, the WTA’s Instagram posted an exciting video featuring top players like Iga Swiatek, Madison Keys, Paula Badosa, Qinwen Zheng, Sara Sorribes Tormo, Daria Kasatkina, Ons Jabeur, and Coco Gauff. In the video, these players take turns narrating: “It’s about to get loud. The wait is almost over. A new era begins soon. Are you ready? This is it. You won’t want to miss this.” The cinematic brilliance has fans buzzing about the WTA’s new move. But what is this new move?

According to a post by reporter John Horn on X: “Tennis fans…BIG WTA news coming on February 27th… Total rebranding & new look on broadcasts & website being announced… Debuts on TV at the start of Indian Wells… Big upgrades to all aspects… Very impressed with the sneak peek.. Stay tuned #WTA #DDFTennis.” Well, going by this post, the rebranding will revolutionize the WTA experience for players and fans alike. With just two days left before the big reveal, the excitement is palpable now.

The WTA has achieved several milestones recently. This year’s Australian Open saw a remarkable increase in viewership, with Australia witnessing a 55% rise, followed by the UK at 54% and the US at 48%. American audiences watched the Women’s Singles more than the Men’s Singles by a 4% margin, largely thanks to Madison Keys’ performance, marking a significant moment for women’s tennis. But that’s not the only highlight for WTA.

The WTA celebrates all its highlights over the past year

Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek

In 2024, the WTA offered a record-breaking prize money of $221 million —a whopping $42 million increase from 2023. The excitement doesn’t stop there; two major WTA 1000 events, the National Bank Open, and the Cincinnati Open, are expanding to 12-day tournaments, offering a bigger stage for top athletes. Meanwhile, the WTA is also revamping its grass-court schedule in the UK, introducing a new WTA 500 event at Queen’s Club in London, featuring stars like Naomi Osaka, Madison Keys, and Emma Raducanu, followed by WTA 250s in Nottingham and Eastbourne. Additionally, the WTA 125s are getting a boost with an expanded calendar and live streaming on WTA Unlocked.

Last season was a huge success, with attendance increasing by 15% and a global audience surpassing 1 billion for the second consecutive year. The WTA’s social media presence is also on fire, with the top 20 players now reaching a combined 58.5 million followers—a 29% increase over the past year. Forbes has noted that 11 of the world’s 20 highest-earning female athletes are WTA players, highlighting the sport’s growing momentum.

Beyond the court, the WTA Foundation is advancing its philanthropic initiatives, focusing on women’s health and empowerment through campaigns like Women Change the Game. This effort aims to improve women’s health and nutrition globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. As the WTA continues to break barriers, Portia Archer, CEO of the WTA, emphasizes their global impact: “We are incredibly proud to have the largest global reach in women’s sport, with events in 26 countries and regions and a worldwide audience of more than one billion.”

She added, “As the original trailblazer in women’s sport, our ambitions go well beyond the court. We will continue to champion our incredible athletes and create real change through our programmes and commitment to advocate for women’s health and empowerment around the world.”

With the WTA’s latest update just around the corner, anticipation is building —it’s an electrifying time for tennis fans!