Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old American tennis sensation and World No. 2, has made waves both on and off the court in 2025, clinching her second Grand Slam singles title at the French Open and solidifying her status as a global sports icon. However, her decision to forego the reimagined US Open Mixed Doubles Championship, set for August 19-20, 2025, at Flushing Meadows, has sparked widespread discussion. The event, boasting a $1 million prize for the winning pair, features a star-studded lineup including Carlos Alcaraz with Emma Raducanu, Aryna Sabalenka with Grigor Dimitrov, and Iga Swiatek with Casper Ruud. Gauff’s absence from this high-profile draw, despite her doubles pedigree, has drawn scrutiny, with former World No. 1 Andy Roddick calling it “a tough look” given her prominence and lucrative endorsements.
Gauff, who won the 2023 US Open singles title and the 2024 French Open doubles crown with Katerina Siniakova, explained her choice with characteristic candor. “It’s an interesting situation because, obviously, I’m not a mixed doubles player. Some rely on that income. Yeah, it’s an event that’s been there forever,” she said, acknowledging the tournament’s significance. The revamped format, moved to Fan Week to spotlight top ATP and WTA players, has been hailed as an “all-star weekend” by Roddick, yet Gauff expressed reservations about its timing. “It’s one of those things that I feel like I have to wait and see how it pans out over time, pans out after it happens and see how it can affect the sport in the whole. But yeah, I probably won’t be participating just because the timing isn’t a good time for me,” she added, prioritizing her singles campaign at the US Open, where she aims to reclaim the title on home soil.
The decision comes as Gauff navigates a demanding 2025 schedule. Fresh off her French Open triumph over Sabalenka, where she earned $2.9 million, Gauff is focusing on the grass season, starting with the Berlin event from June 16-22, followed by Wimbledon (June 30-July 13), where she’s yet to advance beyond the fourth round. Her calendar includes the National Bank Open in Canada (July 27-August 7) and the Cincinnati Open (August 7-18), key hard-court tune-ups for the US Open (August 24-September 7). Gauff’s choice reflects a strategic focus on singles, where she’s amassed 10 WTA titles, including the 2024 WTA Finals in Riyadh, which netted a record $4.8 million. “I think the main piece of advice everyone’s told me is to take it in and soak it in, and then when it’s time to get back to work, get back to work,” she said, emphasizing her commitment to peaking at major tournaments.
Critics argue Gauff’s absence from the mixed doubles event, which offers significant prize money compared to other Grand Slams—Wimbledon’s £135,000, French Open’s €122,000, and Australian Open’s AUD 175,000—misses a chance to leverage her marketability in New York, where she’s a fan favorite. Roddick noted, “Coco has a million endorsements and that’s the prime real estate in New York City for her before the U.S. Open. I’d be surprised if she jumped in at this point.” However, Gauff’s doubles resume, with nine titles including the 2024 French Open, suggests her decision isn’t about capability but prioritization. Her Olympic disappointment in 2024, where she exited early in singles, women’s doubles with Jessica Pegula, and mixed doubles with Taylor Fritz, may also influence her caution. “At the end of the day, it’s over. I’ll try to take the positive out of it and do better next time,” she reflected after Paris.
Gauff’s choice has fueled debate about the mixed doubles format’s impact on tennis. While US Open Tournament Director Stacey Allaster praised its aim to “make the game more accessible and entertaining for our fans,” some, including 2024 champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, call it a “pseudo-exhibition” that sidelines doubles specialists. Gauff’s perspective aligns with those questioning the event’s timing, as it precedes the grueling singles tournament. Her off-court endeavors, like the $100,000 Coco Gauff Scholarship Program for HBCU student-athletes, also highlight her broader priorities. “My hope is that this scholarship gives more young Black players the confidence to chase their dreams,” she said, underscoring her commitment to impact beyond tennis.
As Gauff prepares for Wimbledon and the US Open, her decision to skip mixed doubles reflects a calculated move to conserve energy and focus on singles glory. With a career prize money tally nearing $30 million and endorsements with New Balance and others, her financial security allows such choices. “I learned having doubt enter your head is impossible to escape, but not impossible to overcome,” she said after her French Open win, a mindset she’ll carry into Flushing Meadows. While fans may miss her in the star-studded mixed doubles, Gauff’s focus on her singles legacy promises a thrilling US Open campaign.
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