As the tennis world gears up for the 2025 US Open, Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old American star and 2023 champion, finds herself under intense scrutiny following a string of disappointing results. The world number four, once hailed as the sport’s next big thing, has candidly opened up about the relentless expectations from fans and the mental toll of her recent form slump. “Tennis fans want us to win every week, but it’s not that easy,” Gauff said after her second-round exit at the Cincinnati Open, where she fell 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 to Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva. The defeat marked her third loss in four matches, a stark contrast to her meteoric rise two years ago when she clinched her maiden Grand Slam title on home soil.
Gauff’s summer has been a rollercoaster. After a promising semifinal run at the French Open and a fourth-round appearance at Wimbledon, her form dipped alarmingly. A first-round loss to Donna Vekic at Wimbledon was followed by early exits in Toronto and Cincinnati, where she struggled with 14 double faults against Putintseva. “I’m not going to sit up here and be like, ‘Oh, I’m so sad,’ because I’m not,” Gauff insisted, projecting resilience despite the setbacks. “I’m disappointed with the loss, but I’m not going to let one loss define who I am. I’m still Coco. I’m still going to fight.” Her words reflect a maturity beyond her years, as she navigates the pressure of being a young star in a sport that demands consistency.
The Cincinnati loss was particularly stinging, as Gauff was defending champion, having won the title in 2023 at age 19—the youngest in the tournament’s history. This year, however, unforced errors and erratic serving plagued her game, with 36 errors against Putintseva underscoring her struggles. Fans have voiced concern, with one posting online, “She needs to fix that second serve—it’s costing her big time.” Another lamented, “Coco’s lost that spark from 2023; hope she finds it before New York.” Yet Gauff remains defiant, emphasizing the human side of her journey. “People forget we’re not robots,” she said. “We’re out here giving our all, but sometimes the ball doesn’t go where you want it to.”
Gauff’s challenges extend beyond the court. The weight of expectations, amplified by her status as a homegrown talent and a role model for young fans, has been a constant companion. Her decision to skip the revamped US Open mixed doubles event, where she was slated to partner Ben Shelton, was driven by a packed schedule and the need to focus on singles. “For me, it was just because I know the free week of the US Open is already packed for me,” Gauff explained, a choice echoed by other top players like Carlos Alcaraz, who faces scheduling conflicts after reaching the Cincinnati final. The compressed summer calendar, exacerbated by weather delays in Cincinnati, has drawn criticism, with fans calling it “the worst tennis has ever had to offer.”
Despite her recent struggles, Gauff’s team remains optimistic. Her new coach, Matt Daly, who joined her post-Wimbledon, has been working on refining her serve and boosting her confidence. “I’m learning to be kinder to myself,” Gauff shared, hinting at a shift in mindset. “You can’t win every match, but you can learn from every loss.” She’s also drawn inspiration from her peers, like Iga Swiatek, who has navigated similar pressures as world number one. Gauff’s training in Florida, under sweltering conditions, signals her commitment to peaking for the US Open, where she’ll be a top seed starting August 25.
The tennis community is rallying behind Gauff, with former player Barry Fulcher noting, “She’s still one of the best in the world at 21. The talent is there; it’s about finding that rhythm again.” As she prepares for Flushing Meadows, Gauff is focusing on the positives—her 2023 title, her Olympic experience in Paris, and her ability to connect with fans. “I love playing in New York; the energy is unmatched,” she said, smiling. “I’m not where I want to be yet, but I’m working to get there.” With the US Open looming, Gauff’s resilience and determination could yet silence her doubters and reignite the spark that made her a champion.
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