In a landmark moment for American tennis, Coco Gauff has reclaimed the world No. 1 doubles ranking, cementing her status as one of the sport’s brightest stars at just 21 years old. The announcement came on the eve of the 2025 Canadian Open in Montreal, where Gauff is poised to build on her stellar 2024 season, which included a French Open doubles title alongside Katerina Siniakova. At a pre-tournament press conference, Gauff took the opportunity to praise two players she considers the best in doubles on the WTA Tour: American Taylor Townsend and her recent partner, Siniakova. “I think Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova are the best doubles players on tour right now,” Gauff declared, her words carrying weight as she celebrated the surge of American talent in the discipline. This milestone, coupled with her reflections on the state of U.S. tennis, underscores Gauff’s growing influence both on and off the court.
Gauff’s rise to the top doubles ranking follows a remarkable year that saw her claim nine doubles titles, including five with Jessica Pegula and the 2024 French Open crown with Siniakova. Her partnership with Siniakova, a Czech veteran with a storied doubles career, proved electric, as they stormed to the Roland Garros title without dropping a set. Gauff’s versatility in both singles and doubles has made her a unique force, with a career-high singles ranking of No. 2 and a 10th singles title at the 2024 WTA Finals in Riyadh, where she became the youngest champion since Maria Sharapova in 2004. Her doubles success, however, is equally noteworthy. At 18, she became the second-youngest player to reach No. 1 in doubles in 2022, trailing only Martina Hingis. “As a kid, I’m going to be honest with you, I didn’t even know there was separate rankings for singles and doubles,” Gauff admitted in 2022, reflecting on her unexpected ascent in the discipline.
The American’s nod to Townsend highlights the historic moment for U.S. tennis, with Townsend recently becoming the first mother to achieve the No. 1 doubles ranking. Townsend’s journey, marked by her return to the tour in 2022 after giving birth to her son, Adyn, has been an inspiration. Gauff celebrated her compatriot’s milestone by tagging her “TT1” with a crown emoji on Instagram, a gesture echoed by peers like Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys. “It feels like a dream and is without a doubt one of the highlights of my career,” Townsend said after her achievement, crediting her partnership with Siniakova for much of her success. The duo’s nine shared results, including two titles, propelled Townsend past Siniakova in the rankings, though Gauff’s latest performances have now seen her take the top spot.
Gauff’s comments also shed light on the broader resurgence of American women’s tennis, with five players—Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Amanda Anisimova, Madison Keys, and Emma Navarro—currently ranked in the WTA top 15. She attributed this success to the enduring legacy of Venus and Serena Williams, who made tennis a popular sport for young athletes in the U.S. “I guess if we go long effect, for sure the Williams sisters for making tennis more of a popular sport for people to play in the US,” Gauff said at her Montreal press conference. She noted that while icons like Chris Evert and Lindsay Davenport paved the way, the Williams sisters’ global impact resonates with the current generation. Gauff also highlighted the appeal of tennis among female athletes, suggesting that top talents in the U.S. gravitate toward tennis or track over sports like basketball or football, which often dominate men’s athletics.
As Gauff prepares for the Canadian Open, her focus is split between singles and doubles, where she is partnering with rising Filipino star Alex Eala. The duo’s chemistry, sparked by a single Instagram message before the 2025 Italian Open, has fans buzzing about their potential. “She’s a super great player and a very nice person,” Gauff said of Eala, expressing excitement about their collaboration. Despite a first-round singles loss at Wimbledon to Dayana Yastremska, Gauff’s doubles prowess remains a cornerstone of her game, offering a platform to refine her net play and tactical acumen. Her 2024 season, which included a $4.8 million prize for winning the WTA Finals, underscores her marketability and competitive drive.
With the US Open looming, Gauff’s return to No. 1 in doubles and her praise for Townsend and Siniakova signal a bright future for American tennis. Her ability to balance singles and doubles, coupled with her leadership in celebrating her peers, positions her as a flag-bearer for the sport. As she navigates the hard-court swing, Gauff’s ambition to add to her Grand Slam tally—already boasting singles titles at the 2023 US Open and 2025 French Open—remains palpable. For now, her recognition of Townsend and Siniakova as the WTA’s premier doubles players reflects a deep respect for the craft and a commitment to elevating those around her.
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