Coco Gauff is embracing the excitement of her season’s final showdown as she arrives at the 2024 WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This prestigious tournament marks her last stop for the season, and it’s clear she’s ready to make it memorable. The 20-year-old American star took her fans behind the scenes with a virtual tour of her locker room, showcasing the luxurious space designed to celebrate her achievements and bring some comfort during this intense competition. The warm, welcoming atmosphere she shared with her fans highlights just how ready she is for this year-end challenge, hoping to end her season on a high note.
The 2024 WTA Finals, a premier event in women’s tennis, have shifted this year to King Saud University in Riyadh, marking the first time the event will be held in Saudi Arabia. As part of this grand inaugural edition in the capital city, an elite lineup of the season’s top-performing players will compete. Fans can expect thrilling matches from some of the sport’s biggest names, including Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Jasmine Paolini, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, Zheng Qinwen, and reigning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova. Gauff’s fellow competitors have also started arriving, adding to the building anticipation for what is sure to be a fiercely contested tournament.
Coco Gauff is among the early arrivals in Riyadh, and she wasted no time getting acquainted with her new surroundings. The star shared a sneak peek of her spacious locker room in a social media post, complete with a cozy couch, a full-length mirror, a personal TV screen, and not one but two restrooms—a clear sign of the luxurious accommodations provided to these top-tier athletes. Her mother, Candi, made a brief cameo in the video, underscoring the supportive presence of her family, who have been a key part of her journey. Coco’s delight was evident as she shared her excitement with a simple caption on Instagram, “My locker room for the last tournament of the year @wtafinalsriyadh,” accompanied by a heart-eyed emoji, capturing her joy and readiness for the tournament.
With the tournament set to begin, Gauff will be joined by her coaching team, including her new coach, Matt Daly, who has played a significant role in her recent resurgence. Despite a rocky start to her 2024 season, Gauff has come into her own in the latter part of the year, capturing significant wins and showcasing resilience that has impressed fans and critics alike. In a recent interview, Gauff emphasized how much it means to her to qualify for the WTA Finals three years in a row, noting the ever-increasing depth in women’s tennis that makes each berth highly coveted.
“I’m looking forward to playing the WTA Finals again. I think this is my third year in a row. Yeah, I’m pretty proud of that,” she stated, adding, “It’s hard each year to make it. Especially with the depth of the women’s game now, I think it’s even harder. I’m really honored to make it.” This statement reflects the dedication and hard work that have become synonymous with Gauff’s brand of tennis, even as she tackles new challenges each season.
The WTA Finals have a unique round-robin format, dividing the competitors into two groups. Gauff finds herself in the Orange Group, alongside World No. 2 Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula, and Barbora Krejcikova. This lineup promises intense matchups, especially given the longstanding rivalry between Gauff and Swiatek, both of whom are regarded as among the most talented of their generation. In last year’s WTA Finals, Gauff reached the semi-finals after a hard-fought battle, and her growth since then raises expectations for a deeper run this time around. Meanwhile, the Purple Group features Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Jasmine Paolini, and Zheng Qinwen, all ready to contend for the year-end title.
Gauff’s journey this season has been a testament to her resilience. After a strong start with a title defense at the WTA 250 in Auckland, she faced a period of struggle, grappling with inconsistent form that threatened to derail her momentum. However, she found her stride again during the Asian Swing, securing her second WTA 1000 title in Beijing and reaching the semifinals in Wuhan. These performances reaffirmed her position among the top players and ultimately secured her spot in the year-end championship.
This season has not only highlighted Gauff’s technical growth on the court but has also revealed her mental fortitude. The setbacks she encountered earlier in the season were significant, but her response—a series of impressive victories and a determination to return to peak form—has been nothing short of remarkable. At only 20 years old, Gauff has proven that she has both the skill and the mindset to compete at the highest levels, standing tall among the best in the world.
The WTA Finals will offer Gauff a chance to test herself against her top rivals once more, and there’s no doubt she’ll give everything she has to make this tournament a defining moment of her season. With her supportive team by her side and the excitement of a new, international stage, Coco Gauff is ready to leave her mark on Riyadh. As the WTA Finals kick off, tennis fans around the world will be eagerly watching to see if Gauff can close out her year with a victory that underscores her place in the sport’s elite circle.
Coco Gauff has arrived in Riyadh for the WTA finals and shows her locker room. 😃 pic.twitter.com/Rd4SSnC6wA
— LaWanda (@lawanda50) October 29, 2024