World number three Gauff hopes to bounce back from her early exit in Doha at the WTA 1000 tournament in Dubai (16-22 February).
Coco Gauff will be in action at the 2025 Dubai Tennis Championships (16-22 February) in the United Arab Emirates.
In the second WTA 1000 tennis tournament of the season, the world number three will be aiming for a reaction in Dubai, having fallen at the first hurdle in the previous tournament in Doha, Qatar.
Gauff was beaten in straight sets by unseeded player Marta Kostyuk in the second round of the Qatar Open, to which she had received a bye due to being seeded.
The 20-year-old begins her campaign at the same stage against fellow American and world no. 53 McCartney Kessler, who upset eventual Qatar champion Amanda Anisimova in the first round in Dubai.
Gauff has won two WTA 1000 titles in her career as she targets a third in the UAE, where the Dubai Tennis Championships final will take place on Saturday, 22 February.
Here is how to watch Gauff in Dubai on the latest stop on the WTA tennis tour.
Coco Gauff crashes out in second round at Qatar Open
Coco Gauff: Top things you might not know about the American tennis ace
Dubai Tennis Championships 2025 – how to watch live
The Dubai Tennis Championships will be broadcast on Tennis Channel in the United States, Spain and India, while it will be shown in Canada on TSN/TVA.
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 3. Coco Gauff of the United States in action against Mirra Andreeva of Russia in the third round of the singles competition on Court Suzanne Lenglen during the 2023 French Open Tennis Tournament at Roland Garros on June 3, 2023, in Paris, France. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
Fans in Africa can watch on SuperSport, and Australian supporters will be able to watch the WTA 1000 tournament on beIN Sports.
Men’s world number one Jannik Sinner accepts three-month ban in settlement with World Anti-Doping Agency
WTA Qatar Open 2025 – Coco Gauff’s schedule
18 February: Second Round – Gauff vs McCartney Kessler (USA)
19 February: Third Round – Gauff/Kessler vs Emma Raducanu (GBR)/Karolina Muchova (CZE)
Once one of the most impressive doubles teams on the WTA Tour, Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula haven’t played together since last August. Still, their chemistry remains unparalleled. And what about their movie nights? Unlike some, Coco does not favor solitary movie viewings and always prefers the company of her best friend, Pegula. Just before the Dubai Tennis Championships, Coco shared a glimpse of her night out for a recently launched movie, but to everyone’s surprise, Pegula was nowhere in sight, despite the playful banter between them earlier.
The story goes back to yesterday when Pegula was surprised as Gauff unexpectedly crashed her WTA Tour interview at the Dubai Tennis Championships 2025, playfully calling out her former doubles partner. “You never responded to my texts. This girl invited me to go to the movies. I said let me know when you wanna go and she never responded so she’s fake,” Coco quipped, making sure her complaint was heard. But she wasn’t done yet!
Coco later took to Instagram, posting the clip with a caption that made it clear she wasn’t letting this one slide: “She texted me on Friday and it is now Sunday and still no response… smh @jpegula gonna go watch the movie by myself now,” the World No. 3 wrote in her Instagram stories. However, it seems Coco ultimately went ahead without her former partner!
Just hours after calling out her former doubles partner for ghosting her on movie night, Coco took to Instagram with a playful clapback. “Lol @jpegula I made it without you,” she wrote, posing with a bucket of popcorn and a shield, both sporting the Captain America logo. But the drama didn’t end there; there was more to the story after her post.
Just as Gauff posted her Instagram story, Jessica Pegula wasted no time hilariously responding to it. She immediately re-shared the post, adding, “Nooooo 😂” Pegula also dropped a screenshot of their iMessage exchange, showing that she had, in fact, asked Coco about the movie. “How was the movie 😂,” she added, proving there was more to the story than Gauff had let on!
Coco Gauff, who was seen watching a “Captain America: Brave New World” movie on her IG story, has long been a big fan of Marvel and superheroes. Remember the recently concluded Australian Open? She kicked off her campaign in style with a dominant first-round win over Sofia Kenin, rocking the latest NB fit on the iconic Rod Laver Arena. The superhero attire included a “cargo skirt” and sneakers that served as a tribute to her father Corey, who is a hardcore basketball fan. She even added her remarks about her superhero-inspired kit after the match.
“I’m a huge Marvel fan, and a lot of the female superheroes have cool cut-outs on their outfits. That’s what I wanted to do. New Balance has great designers; it’s actually kind of a pain to get into because it is a bodysuit, guys! I have to put the bottom part on first and pull it over my head. It’s kind of a struggle, and if you can’t hold your bladder, it’s also not a good idea…A couple times I’ve had to ask the referee to help unzip me to use the bathroom! You have to sacrifice for fashion!” Gauff said.
While Coco Gauff might not have got Pegula’s company this time around, her bond with Pegula goes far beyond just a missed movie night. Their friendship runs deep, built over the years on and off the court!
“I think she has definitely grown up a lot” — Pegula opened up about her former teammate
The American pair of Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula dominated the doubles circuit, accumulating five WTA titles, three of which were prestigious WTA 1000 crowns. But by 2024, things took an opposite turn. Pegula suffered injuries, while Coco Gauff experimented with new partners, teaming up with Taylor Townsend in Madrid, Erin Routliffe in Rome, and Katerina Siniakova at the French Open. That last move paid off big: Coco and Siniakova teamed up and lifted the French Open doubles trophy.
Despite their split, Coco Gauff and Pegula reunited for one major event at the Summer Olympics. Their status as top seeds generated considerable expectations, which were not met as their participation ended in the second round at the hands of Czech players Karolina Muchova and Linda Noskova. That Olympic campaign ended up being their last tournament together to date. Yet, their bond remains!
Pegula, now 30, has often spoken highly of Coco Gauff. In an interview last August, the 2024 US Open finalist praised Coco’s growth and maturity over time. “I think she [Gauff] has definitely grown up a lot and matured over the last few years. She’s now much more sure of herself and knows what she wants. Also, she is hitting that age where you are learning all that stuff. You are trying to figure out what you want, how you want it, making more of your own decisions and we have seen that over the past year now,” Pegula remarked.
Both Pegula and Coco Gauff will now feature at the upcoming Dubai Tennis Championships, where the former will face Liudmila Samsonova and Coco will face the winner of the first round between McCartney Kessler and Amanda Anisimova. Are you backing both of them to make a deep run in the tournament?
When it comes to her love life, Coco Gauff is one tough nut. Amid the glam and glitz of being a sword (read: racket) yielding diva, and the intense scrutiny/limelight that comes with it, there are some things that Coco would rather keep close to her heart, away from the world. Like her boyfriend…
Having been in a relationship since 2023, the tennis star has counted the exact numbers of steps she’s proceeded to divulge details about her relationship, before retracting. It’s always been bits and pieces of information sprinkled across multiple interviews. The 20-year-old first confirmed her relationship in March last year after her father Corey described it as a “friend who she’s dating”: “He’s a very nice guy. He’s in school now. He’s about to apply for music school. He wants to be an actor and he plays the guitar. He’s not from Delray. He’s actually from Atlanta.”
In an interview with TIME Magazine the very next month, she divulged more. “This is my first real relationship. To just have someone to talk to who is not involved in tennis at all gives me a fresh perspective…,” Gauff said before adding that her mother was her boyfriend’s fourth grade teacher.“My mom always said, if they’re bad in school, they’re probably bad as adults. He’s always been a smart, nice kid.” What’s more?
Ahead of her US Open Final, her mystery man even helped her beat the blues. “Last night, I started a little bit, but honestly, I just called my boyfriend, and I told him let’s talk until it’s time to go to sleep so we spoke until 1:00 a.m. and then I went to sleep,” the 20-year said. Wholesome, right? And, as expected, the couple would also be indulging in normal couple activities, right? Well, no.
Just like last year, Coco Gauff has decided to spend February 14 with her other Valentine—her mother—with some quality time in Dubai. The World No. 3 shared a video of savoring delicious food with Candi Gauff, who is a former heptathlon athlete. Sharing the reel, Gauff wrote, “V-day dinner with my mom @candigauff.” While this time, we didn’t see her rumored boyfriend enter the picture indirectly, the same cannot be said for last year.
Like clockwork, last year too, Coco shared a heap of pictures cruising on a quadricycle on Qatar’s Sealine Desert with her mom for Valentine’s Day. After exiting the 2024 Qatar Open in the second round, she spent her time sightseeing with Candi in Doha. The duo shared snippets of their outings on their respective Instagram handles, and Gauff captioned it as “Motorsport.” That’s not the most interesting part, though.
Jalen Sera, her rumored boyfriend, made sure to hop into the comment section to add a little flirtatious comment. Calling her “Sandwoman”, Sera wrote, “These last two posts really bring out the earthbender in you.”
Having said that, for Coco Gauff, her mother is her constant travel partner. Be it cheering for her daughter at the 2025 United Cup or visiting the Great Wall of China together during their trip to Beijing, Candi has been Coco’s partner in crime. Reflecting on this special bond with her mother previously, Coco Gauff had said, “Yeah, I mean, both my parents are constant support all the time. My mom, it’s just a motherly thing. There’s nothing like a mother-daughter relationship. Especially in swings like Asia where it maybe is more isolated than usual, we just play Uno lot.”
She also highlighted how her mother took care of everything on tour and became her constant support. “It’s great to have my mom. She’s my biggest fan for sure. Having one or both of my parents I think always makes the tournament easier. You don’t have to take care of some things. She’s always reminding, me, Do you have your headphones, change of shoes, and clothes? Just things that moms, dads, they all do,” Gauff added.
Although Gauff decided to spend the entire day with her mom, in a cute gesture, she had a special offer this Valentine’s. What was that?
Coco Gauff agreed to be her colleague’s “Galentine”
Coco Gauff was proposed by the Ministry of Happiness, Ons Jabeur on Valentine’s Eve. In a video shared by the WTA’s Instagram handle, the Tunisian could be seen asking the World No. 3, “Will you be my Valentine?” and Gauff said, “Yes!” The moment caught the fans off-guard and highlighted their beautiful friendship.
After Gauff’s response, the show’s producer remarked that Gauff chose Galentine’s rather than Valentine’s, and Gauff agreed. “I did choose Galantine’s Day. I don’t have anything for you, so the hug is for you. I, like, saw somebody coming from the bushes. I was like, who the heck is jumping over?,” the American said, as she hugged Jabeur. Galentine’s Day is actually a global holiday celebrating women’s friendship.
However, the scene took a quirky yet funny turn, when Gauff asked Jabeur, “Thank you (For the rose). How many people have you done this for, though? How many Valentines do you have?” Gauff’s hilarious dig at Jabeur made her flee from the scene. “See you!” the Tunisian said, as she chuckled and disappeared. Jabeur’s gesture prompted Gauff to add a sarcastic conclusion. “Oh, okay. Maybe it’s not as special anymore,” she said.
Coco Gauff’s Valentine’s Day celebration with her mother warmed the fraternity’s hearts. However, her recent setbacks on the court have got the fans worried as well. Are you backing Coco to regain her form soon?
Legendary coach Rick Macci has shared his thoughts on Coco Gauff’s game after the American’s surprise early exit at the Qatar Open.
Gauff fell to a 2-6, 5-7 defeat to world No 21 Marta Kostyuk in her opening match at the WTA 1000 event in Doha on Tuesday.
The world No 3 served seven double faults and won just 33% of her second serve points as she was broken four times in her nine service games by the 22-year-old Ukrainian.
The 20-year-old was also troubled by her serve in her previous match — a 5-7, 4-6 loss to Paula Badosa in the Australian Open quarter-finals last month.
Macci, who coached tennis icons and sisters Serena and Venus Williams, backed Gauff to bounce back while also identifying issues with her serve and forehand.
“Coco will be fine as she is a fighter and has turbo jets in her shoes,” the 70-year-old wrote on X.
“X factor for greatness is the second serve; not connected properly and the forehand is the same.
“When you’re confident, technical flaws can Hide. When you get nervous, they bubble up and opponents Seek.”
Last year, Macci asserted that it would not take long at all to fix the technical problem he sees with Gauff’s second serve.
“Coco and her second serve can be fixed in less than one hour,” the American said.
“Once that is biomechanically rewired and that is in the EYE of the BEHOLDER the mental game overall becomes BOLDER.”
Macci recently predicted that Gauff will establish herself as the world No 1 is she improves her second serve and forehand.
“Coco has untapped potential and can get to number one and most of all stay there,” he tweeted. “If second serve becomes an asset and forehand become her best shot.
“Her first serve someday can hit 130 mph as she continues to tweak. Make up speed is as good as the sport has ever seen.”
Gauff won her only Grand Slam title to date at the 2023 US Open, while she has claimed nine singles titles in total.
The American is next set to feature at the Dubai Championships, a WTA 1000 event that will be staged from February 16 to 22. She will aim to win her third career WTA 1000 title.
Coco Gauff will try to erase the memory of her opening round loss at the Qatar Open from last year when she faces Marta Kostyuk in the round of 32 on Tuesday.
In the round of 64 on Sunday morning, Kostyuk came away with a straight sets victory over Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey (6-3 6-3), while Gauff lost the first Grand Slam of the year versus Spain’s Paula Badosa in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open (5-7 4-6).
Despite a solid run to the last eight of the Australian Open, Coco Gauff failed to step up in that match, committing six double faults against the lower-ranked Badosa.
She has not won a singles tournament since the 2024 Finals in Riyadh, coming from behind to defeat Qinwen Zheng in three sets 3-6 6-4 7-6 on that occasion.
The third-ranked women’s player at this event has not been eliminated in her first singles match since the Cincinnati Open last August, though she lost at this stage of the Qatar Open last year versus Katerina Siniakova (2-6 4-6).
At the same time, her only two victories on the WTA tour last year took place on hard court surfaces over Zheng in Riyadh, along with a convincing straight sets triumph against Karolina Muchova to capture the China Open in the fall (6-1 6-3).
Early into 2025, the American has made her share of errors with 58 double faults but made up for it by winning 74.8% of her first serves.
More often than not, she has been able to hold serve despite making a lot of unforced errors, winning 80% of her service games so far this year.
Marta Kostyuk has made the round of 32 for a fourth successive singles tournament, capitalising on her Turkish opponents’ numerous errors this weekend.
Sonmez registered six double faults during the match, while the Ukrainian won 50% of her break point opportunities (5/10) to make it to this stage of the Qatar Open for a second successive year.
At this stage of the tournament in 2024, Kostyuk was down 1-2 to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the opening set before being forced to retire.
The 22-year-old has been eliminated at this stage of her previous three singles events, with her last victory in a round of 32 match occurring at the Wuhan Open in October versus American Amanda Anisimova in a walkover.
So far this year, Kostyuk has often been her own worst enemy, with 48 double faults to go along with 22 aces and a first-serve percentage of 58.9%.
She has captured 67.2% of her service games on the singles draw to this stage of the 2025 campaign, while saving 65.5% of her break points.
World number three Gauff is looking to secure her third WTA 1000 title at the Qatar Open 2025 (9-15 February).
Coco Gauff plays in the first WTA 1000 tennis tournament of the year at the 2025 Qatar Open (9-15 February).
The US star returns to the Middle East for the first time since her WTA Finals triumph in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at the end of the 2024 season.
After reaching the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, Gauff is setting her sights on silverware and what would be a third WTA 1000 title in her career.
As world number three and one of the top eight seeds, the 20-year-old has earned a bye into the second round. She will face Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk after her 6-3, 6-3 win over Turkish wildcard Zeynep Sonmez.
The final in Doha takes place on Saturday 15 February.
Scroll down to find out how to watch Gauff live at the Qatar Open.
Gauff shown the door by Paula Badosa in Australian Open quarter-finals
Gauff on bringing a touch of superhero through her outfit: “You have to sacrifice for fashion”
Coco Gauff: Top things you might not know about the American tennis ace
WTA Qatar Open 2025 – how to watch live
The Qatar Open will be broadcast on Tennis Channel in the United States, Spain and India, while it will be shown in Canada on TSN/TVA.
Fans in Africa can watch on SuperSport, and Australian supporters will be able to watch the WTA 1000 tournament on beIN Sports.
Coco Gauff Proudly Champions Black History Month With a Generous $100K Donation to a Worthy Cause
Have you ever wondered what makes a player a legend? It’s not just their game that counts, but their grace, both on and off the court. Take Coco Gauff, for example. Remember the China Open last year? After winning the first two sets against Japanese Naomi Osaka, who was struggling with a back injury in the QF, Gauff didn’t just celebrate her victory; instead, she showed pure class by helping Osaka carry her bags off the court. And now, she’s once again proving her champion spirit with a generous donation to support ‘Black students’ in pursuing education and competitive tennis through UNCF, carving her path to tennis greatness!
The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) is recognized as the largest and most impactful minority educational organization in the United States. Dedicated to empowering the country’s youth and communities, UNCF supports 37 member colleges and universities, actively fostering their growth in both sports and education. UNCF administers over 400 programs, including scholarships, internships, fellowships, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum development.
Today, UNCF supports more than 50,000 students at over 1,100 colleges and universities nationwide. HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) have received significant donations from various corporations, such as Google, Apple, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Carnegie Corporation of New York. However, at just 20, recently Coco has made history as one of the youngest major donors to UNCF, pledging a generous donation to support HBCU students.
The UNCF recently published a statement where the organization confirmed Coco will donate around $100,000 as gifts to HBCU students, aspiring to excel in competitive tennis. And following that, the American also shared her views, defining her family roots with HBSU.
She said, “My family has a deep-rooted history with HBCUs, going all the way back to my great, great grandfather. From aunts and uncles to cousins, HBCUs have played a huge role in shaping who we are. Supporting UNCF in creating opportunities for student-athletes in tennis means a lot to me,”.
Coco Gauff continued according to UNCF, “As a young Black athlete, I understand how impactful it is to see people who look like me thriving in both sports and education. I want to help the next generation of student-athletes continue pursuing their passion for tennis while reaching their academic goals. My hope is that this scholarship gives more young Black players the confidence to chase their dreams, knowing they have a strong community behind them and a bright future ahead.”
The “Coco Gauff Scholarship Program” will now be administered directly by UNCF, awarding scholarships to eligible students pursuing tennis from May 2025. But where did Coco’s admiration for charity, particularly within her community, originate?
Yvonne Lee Odom, Coco’s grandmother, has been one of her standout supporters while raising her voice against racial issues. Even the 3rd seed mentioned how her grandmother stood up against racial injustices during her college years. It ultimately boosted her confidence once she became the first Black student to attend Seacrest High in Florida. “She’s the sole, or one of the main, reasons why I use my platform the way that I do and why I feel so comfortable speaking out,” Coco added.
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However, this is far from the first time Coco has shown her generosity and class in supporting her community.
Coco talks about her role models while backing black players!
Coco’s dedication to supporting the Black community is nothing new. Time and again, she has spoken about uplifting her community while honoring the trailblazers who paved the way for sports. Take the Williams sisters, for example. The current 3rd seed also expressed her desire to follow her role model Venus and Serena to inspire the community in a video for “Baker Tilly US” last year.
“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. But I feel like for me, having role models like Serena and Venus to look up to made a difference,” she added.
“That’s what pushes me to keep going. Just because the sport is predominantly white, you believe you can do that passion when you see somebody that looks like you being successful. Hopefully, I can be that belief for somebody else,” Coco Gauff mentioned.
Now, Coco is preparing for her in-court return at the Qatar Open 2025, starting on 9th February. Can she recover from her Happy Slam early exit by winning the Doha tournament? Share your thoughts below!
Tennis Champion Coco Gauff Gifts UNCF $100,000 for Scholarships to Support HBCU Students Playing Competitive Tennis (Updated)
Gauff is now one of the youngest major gift donors in UNCF’s 80-year history
Washington, DC, Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — UNCF is proud today to announce a $100,000 gift from tennis champion Coco Gauff to provide scholarships for historically Black college and university (HBCU) students playing competitive tennis.
“We are incredibly grateful to Coco Gauff for her generous $100,000 gift to UNCF, which will significantly impact the lives of HBCU students aspiring to excel in competitive tennis,” said Maurice E. Jenkins, Jr., executive vice president and chief development officer, UNCF. “Her commitment not only showcases her dedication to education and athletics but also inspires the next generation of student-athletes to pursue their dreams. This gift reinforces the importance of supporting our young leaders and ensuring they have the resources necessary to succeed both on and off the court.”
The Coco Gauff Scholarship Program will be administered by UNCF and scholarships will be awarded to eligible students who play competitive tennis starting in May. Details will be forthcoming on UNCF.org/scholarships.
As one of UNCF’s youngest major gift donors, Gauff, who is 20, says she supports HBCUs because she recognizes their value and the role they play in the community. Several members of Gauff’s family have attended or currently attend HBCUs.
“My family has a deep-rooted history with HBCUs, going all the way back to my great, great grandfather. From aunts and uncles to cousins, HBCUs have played a huge role in shaping who we are. Supporting UNCF in creating opportunities for student-athletes in tennis means a lot to me. As a young Black athlete, I understand how impactful it is to see people who look like me thriving in both sports and education. I want to help the next generation of student-athletes continue pursuing their passion for tennis while reaching their academic goals. My hope is that this scholarship gives more young Black players the confidence to chase their dreams, knowing they have a strong community behind them and a bright future ahead.”
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 3. Coco Gauff of the United States in action against Mirra Andreeva of Russia in the third round of the singles competition on Court Suzanne Lenglen during the 2023 French Open Tennis Tournament at Roland Garros on June 3, 2023, in Paris, France. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
In recognition of Gauff’s 2023 U.S. Open victory, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) committed $3 million to refurbishing tennis courts across the country. North Carolina Central University was granted $21,000 as a part of this initiative.
Coco Gauff has won nine Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) – tour level singles titles including the 2023 US Open and the 2024 WTA Finals. She has also won nine doubles titles including the 2024 French Open.
About UNCF UNCF is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, supports and strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. While totaling only 3% of all colleges and universities, UNCF institutions and other historically Black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 15% of bachelor’s degrees, 5% of master’s degrees, 10% of doctoral degrees and 19% of all STEM degrees earned by Black students in higher education. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 50,000 students at over 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized trademark is, ‟A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”® Learn more at UNCF.org or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on X (formerly Twitter) at @UNCF.
Ons Jabeur has named both Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff as her most ‘intimidating’ rivals on the WTA Tour.
Former world No 2 Jabeur has been a regular opponent for current world No 2 Swiatek and world No 3 Gauff during their careers, with a combined 15 meetings against the two.
The Tunisian trails 2-5 in her head-to-head against Swiatek – including a loss in the 2022 US Open final – while she is 2-6 down in her head-to-head versus US star Gauff.
Jabeur was a guest on Nothing Major and, asked by Sam Querrey who her most ‘intimidating’ rival was, spoke about the challenge of facing both major champions.
She said: “There are a lot. I think Iga is a pretty solid player. She does not give you any free points, which is kind of difficult to play against.”
“Coco is really amazing too, she plays unbelievable tennis. There are a lot of solid players where you have to be, if not 100%, very close to it to play on that day.”
Jabeur also spoke about the challenge of facing Aryna Sabalenka, the current WTA world No 1.
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The Tunisian trailblazer holds a 2-4 head-to-head against the Belarusian, a three-time Grand Slam champion and a recent runner-up at the Australian Open.
However, despite trailing in their rivalry, the 30-year-old triumphed in the biggest meeting of their career – rallying from a set and a break down to win their 2023 Wimbledon semi-final.
Despite that match, the three-time major finalist revealed that she “used to hate” facing the Belarusian and admitted that she found herself struggling with the pace of Sabalenka’s groundstrokes.
“I used to hate playing against Aryna, because the way she hits the ball, I basically could not see it, and I get frustrated by the speed of the ball,” added Jabeur.
“But people would tell you: ‘Oh, you have the touch.’ I think speed definitely beats the touch because, if I cannot find it, I cannot do it, so one of the players I didn’t like to play is Aryna.”
After a difficult 2024 season that saw the former world No 2 struggle with form and fitness and fall outside of the top 30, Jabeur is looking to work her way back up the rankings in 2025.
The world No 34 will be in action at the Abu Dhabi Open this week and faces a tough opening match against seventh seed Jelena Ostapenko.
Sabalenka, Swiatek, and Gauff are all set to return to action at next week’s Qatar Open in Doha – the first WTA 1000 event of the 2025 season.
It will be the first event for all three women since their Australian Open campaigns; Swiatek and Sabalenka were beaten in the semi-final and final respectively by Madison Keys, while Gauff fell in the last eight to Paula Badosa.
How Coco Gauff Is Cementing Her Status as a Top Tennis Player Following Her Latest Title with the U.S
Coco Gauff cemented her place as one of tennis’ most exciting young stars as she led the United States to victory in the 2025 United Cup in Sydney, playing a key role in clinching the title. The 20-year-old world number three delivered a clinical performance over Iga Świątek in the opening women’s singles match, setting the tone for a thrilling final.
Gauff’s 6-4, 6-4 triumph over Świątek was not just a crucial win for the U.S. but also a testament to her remarkable rise in the sport. This victory marked her second consecutive win over the Polish star, having also defeated her in the WTA Finals in Riyadh just two months ago. Świątek, struggling with a recurring thigh injury, called for a medical timeout at 5-4 down in the second set. However, the injury plagued her throughout the match, and she ultimately left the court in tears, visibly distressed by the loss.
After the match, Gauff reflected on her growing belief in her ability to compete at the highest level. “I think I have the belief that I am one of the best players in the world. When I play good tennis, it’s hard for me to be beaten,” she said, a comment that spoke volumes about her confidence and her ability to rise to the occasion.
Not only did Gauff remain undefeated in singles and doubles throughout the event, but her composure under pressure was evident as she helped her team secure the first point of the final. “Today I think I played great tennis, and I’m happy to get a point for my team on the board,” Gauff added. “It was tough today. I’m not gonna lie.”
Her performance was a far cry from the vulnerability we sometimes see in younger players. Gauff has now firmly established herself as one of the top players in the game, and her ability to handle such pressure, especially in a team event like the United Cup, demonstrates her maturity.
After Gauff’s victory, it was up to Taylor Fritz to seal the deal for the U.S. in the men’s singles, and while the task seemed monumental, Fritz rose to the occasion. His 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (7-4) win over Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz wrapped up the title for the U.S. with a tense third-set tie-break. Fritz dug deep when it mattered most, especially at 3-3 in the tie-break, hitting clutch shots to help the Americans secure a 2-0 win in the final.
The win marked a back-to-back United Cup title for the United States, adding another chapter to their dominance in this mixed team event. While Fritz’s triumph was certainly notable, it was Gauff’s clinical and dominant play that set the foundation for the U.S. victory.
Writer’s Comments:
Coco Gauff’s rapid rise to prominence is not just an exciting story for American tennis; it is an inspiring narrative for the entire tennis world. From a teenager thrust into the spotlight, Gauff has blossomed into a player whose talent is now matched by her mental fortitude. Her win over Świątek at the United Cup, a player she now has a winning record against, speaks volumes about Gauff’s readiness to challenge the very best in the sport.
It’s not just about the victories she’s racking up—it’s about the way she plays the game. Gauff’s demeanor on court, her calm in the face of pressure, and her belief in her abilities make her one of the most intriguing players to watch as she heads into the Australian Open. If this performance is anything to go by, Gauff is not just a future star; she is one of the best players in the world right now, and her future is brighter than ever.
