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.

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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.

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.”

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. 

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.