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.”

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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.”

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.

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?

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.

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

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.

“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.