In the fast-paced world of professional tennis, rivalries are forged through intense battles on the court, and the 2025 season has gifted fans a compelling one between Coco Gauff and Belinda Bencic. The 21-year-old American star, ranked World No. 3, recently shared her candid thoughts on the Swiss Olympic champion after facing her three times this year, describing Bencic as a formidable and inspiring opponent. Speaking ahead of the Rome tournament, Gauff’s reflections offer a glimpse into the mutual respect and competitive fire driving this emerging rivalry.
“Belinda Bencic is incredibly tough to play against,” Gauff said, her tone a mix of admiration and resolve. “She takes the ball unbelievably early. She is very nice as well and a genuinely good person. If we will play once again in Rome, it will just be another very tough match as every other time against her.” The comments, shared in a press interaction, highlight the challenge Bencic poses with her aggressive, early-ball-striking style and underscore the sportsmanship that defines their encounters.
The 2025 season has seen Gauff and Bencic lock horns in three thrilling matches, each showcasing their contrasting styles and unyielding determination. Their first clash came at the Australian Open in January, where Gauff staged a comeback from a set down to win 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 in the fourth round, advancing to the quarterfinals. Bencic, returning to her first Grand Slam since giving birth to her daughter Bella in April 2024, pushed Gauff to the brink with her precise groundstrokes and tactical acumen. “Belinda is obviously a great player, no matter what form she’s in,” Gauff noted post-match, acknowledging the Swiss star’s resilience despite her recent return to the tour.
Their second meeting at Indian Wells in March flipped the script. Bencic, competing as a wildcard, stunned Gauff 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a two-hour, 20-minute battle, reaching her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal as a mother. Gauff, who struggled with eight double faults and forehand errors, admitted Bencic’s relentless backhand and ability to short-hop balls disrupted her rhythm. “She was a bit more aggressive than I was,” Gauff reflected, pinpointing Bencic’s decisive shift in tactics. The loss, on the eve of Gauff’s 21st birthday, stung, but she remained philosophical, saying, “It’s not as bad as it seems. I’m just trying to stick through those tough moments and get better.”
The third chapter unfolded at the Madrid Open in April, where Gauff reclaimed the edge with a 6-4, 6-2 victory in the round of 16. On the clay courts, Gauff’s athleticism and improved serve—honed under coach Matt Daly—proved decisive, as she converted four of 14 break points and fired seven return winners. Bencic, despite her 86% first-serve win rate, couldn’t counter Gauff’s relentless pressure. The win marked Gauff’s first WTA 1000 quarterfinal of the season, a testament to her growing consistency on clay, where she boasts a 73% win rate.
Bencic’s comeback story adds depth to their rivalry. The 28-year-old, a former World No. 4, returned to competition in October 2024 after maternity leave, climbing to No. 58 by March 2025. Her 2025 highlights include a title in Abu Dhabi and a 17-4 record, with two Top 5 wins, including Gauff and Elena Rybakina. “I felt like she was more tense, and that was the right time to go for the forehand,” Bencic said after Indian Wells, revealing her instinctive knack for exploiting opponents’ nerves. Her ability to balance motherhood with elite tennis has reshaped her perspective, as she noted, “Tennis means a lot, but it’s not my whole world anymore.”
For Gauff, the season has been a rollercoaster. After a stellar 2024, with titles in Beijing and the WTA Finals, she started 2025 with a 5-0 United Cup run, defeating Iga Swiatek. But losses to Paula Badosa in Melbourne and early exits in Qatar and Dubai tested her resolve. Her battles with Bencic, now tied at 2-2 in their career head-to-head, have been a crucible for growth, forcing Gauff to refine her serve and forehand while embracing the sport’s highs and lows. “I just realized it’s never that important,” she said pre-Australian Open, a mindset that fuels her resilience.
As Rome looms, fans anticipate another Gauff-Bencic showdown. Their matches, often decided by fine margins, blend Gauff’s athletic dynamism with Bencic’s tactical precision, promising more thrilling chapters. Gauff’s praise for Bencic’s skill and character reflects a rivalry rooted in respect, one that’s captivating tennis audiences and pushing both players to new heights.
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