In a dazzling display of tenacity and skill, Coco Gauff has etched her name alongside tennis legends at the 2025 Madrid Open, reaching the Round of 16 and securing a rare statistical milestone. At just 21 years old, Gauff became the fifth player aged 21 or under to advance to the Round of 16 at Tier I or WTA 1000 events 25 or more times since the format’s introduction in 1990, joining an exclusive club that includes Maria Sharapova, Martina Hingis, Svetlana Kuznetsova, and Caroline Wozniacki. This achievement, highlighted during her commanding 6-2, 6-3 victory over Ann Li on Saturday, April 26, underscores Gauff’s meteoric rise and her place among the sport’s brightest stars.
Gauff’s third-round match against Li was a testament to her growing mastery on clay, a surface where she continues to refine her game. After dropping the first two games, the No. 3 seed roared back, winning eight consecutive games to seize control. Her aggressive baseline play, punctuated by powerful serves and precise groundstrokes, left Li struggling to respond. “I played really well today,” Gauff said post-match, reflecting on her ability to adapt. “She’s a tough opponent, especially on clay, but I just felt like I could step in more.” The win, completed in just over an hour, marked Gauff’s third consecutive year reaching at least the Round of 16 in Madrid, though she has yet to crack the quarterfinals—a goal she’s determined to achieve.
This milestone places Gauff in rare company. Sharapova, who won Wimbledon at 17 in 2004, was a trailblazer in reaching multiple WTA 1000 milestones as a young player, her fierce competitiveness setting a benchmark. Hingis, a five-time Grand Slam champion, dominated the late 1990s with her tactical brilliance, while Kuznetsova and Wozniacki brought relentless consistency to the tour. Gauff’s inclusion in this group is no fluke; her nine WTA singles titles, including the 2023 US Open and 2024 WTA Finals, reflect a career trajectory that rivals these icons. At the 2024 WTA Finals, Gauff became the youngest champion since Sharapova in 2004, defeating Zheng Qinwen in a thrilling 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(2) final, pocketing a record $4.8 million prize. “This means a lot to me,” she said in Riyadh, celebrating her historic win. “I’ll forever be etched in history in that standard.”
Gauff’s journey to this milestone has been marked by both triumphs and challenges. Her 2025 season began with a bang, as she led the United States to the United Cup title, defeating Iga Swiatek in the final. However, a quarterfinal loss to Paula Badosa at the Australian Open and a dip to No. 4 in the rankings tested her resilience. Madrid, with its high-altitude clay favoring aggressive play, has been a proving ground. Gauff’s earlier wins in the tournament—a 6-0, 6-0 demolition of Arantxa Rus and a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Dayana Yastremska—showcased her adaptability. Her 61.7% service game win rate on clay over the past year highlights her growing comfort on the surface, though she continues to chase a signature clay-court title.
The Madrid Open has also spotlighted the depth of American talent, with Gauff joined by Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula, Emma Navarro, Sofia Kenin, and Peyton Stearns in the draw. Keys’ hard-fought 6-4, 7-5 win over Anna Kalinskaya set up an all-American fourth-round clash with Gauff, a rematch of their 2024 Madrid encounter where Keys prevailed in three sets. “It’s great to see so many Americans doing well here,” Gauff noted, embracing the competitive spirit. Posts on X have echoed this sentiment, with fans celebrating the “top American turn-out” and buzzing about Gauff’s latest milestone, one calling her “listed among legends” alongside Sharapova.
Off the court, Gauff’s influence continues to grow. Her recent launch of Coco Gauff Enterprises, parting ways with Roger Federer’s Team8, reflects her ambition to shape her legacy as an athlete, entrepreneur, and advocate. “From the moment I first picked up a tennis racket, I’ve always believed my purpose extended far beyond the court,” she wrote on Instagram. Her $34.4 million in earnings in 2024, per Forbes, made her the highest-paid female athlete, fueled by endorsements and her WTA Finals prize. Gauff’s poise, praised by Sharapova—who called her “exciting to watch” and a player who “handles herself so well off the court”—has made her a global inspiration.
As Gauff prepares for Keys, the tennis world watches a star whose potential seems limitless. Her Madrid milestone, tying her to Sharapova and other WTA greats, is not just a statistic but a marker of her relentless drive. With the French Open looming, Gauff’s clay-court campaign could redefine her career, proving she’s not only following in the footsteps of legends but forging her own path.