As the sun dipped below the horizon in Miami, casting a golden glow over the Hard Rock Stadium, Coco Gauff stood before a throng of reporters, her voice steady and her ambitions clear. Fresh off a gritty third-round victory at the 2025 Miami Open, the 21-year-old American tennis phenom didn’t mince words about her goals. With a career already studded with accolades—including a U.S. Open singles title in 2023 and a French Open doubles crown in 2024—Gauff revealed a preference that might surprise some: she’d rather hoist another Grand Slam trophy than climb to the coveted No. 1 ranking. It’s a bold stance for a player who’s been a fixture in the sport’s upper echelon, and it underscores a mindset that prioritizes legacy over leaderboard.
Gauff’s journey to this moment has been anything but ordinary. Bursting onto the scene at 15 with a stunning upset of Venus Williams at Wimbledon in 2019, she’s carried the weight of outsized expectations ever since. Now, with nine singles titles and a career-high ranking of No. 2, she’s no stranger to the pressures of professional tennis. Yet, her latest comments after defeating Maria Sakkari 6-4, 6-2 in Miami—a rematch of their Indian Wells clash just days earlier—reveal a player more focused on etching her name into the history books than chasing a numerical crown. “I prefer another Grand Slam; I’ve always said that,” she declared, her tone resolute. “I feel like people remember you more for the titles you won than for your position in the world ranking.”
The Miami Open, a tournament where Gauff has yet to truly shine despite its status as her hometown event, has often been a crucible for her. The roar of the local crowd, the humidity hanging thick in the air—it’s a setting that’s tested her resolve time and again. “Playing at home is always tough,” she admitted, reflecting on the emotional stakes. “The expectation can weigh on you.” But this year, with two solid wins under her belt, she’s one step away from her best-ever result here—a fourth-round berth—and her focus remains razor-sharp. That victory over Sakkari, a seasoned Greek star, showcased Gauff’s evolving game: a blend of relentless defense, pinpoint serving, and a newfound patience that’s been honed under her latest coaching tweak with Matt Daly, a specialist brought on to refine her technique.
Gauff’s preference for Grand Slam glory over the No. 1 spot isn’t just a casual remark—it’s a window into her philosophy. At 21, she’s already tasted the thrill of major success, and it’s left her hungry for more. “Obviously, if I could have both, that would be great too,” she mused with a smile, acknowledging the allure of the top ranking. “But personally, after winning one, I’d love to win another in the future.” She’s not dismissing the prestige of being No. 1—a position currently held by Poland’s Iga Swiatek—but her heart lies with the tangible weight of a trophy, the kind of achievement that lingers in memory long after rankings fade. “If I had already won four and still hadn’t reached No. 1, maybe the story would be different,” she added. “But having only one, I’d like to have another to strengthen the foundations of my record a bit more.”
This isn’t the first time Gauff has set her sights high. Before the Australian Open earlier this year, she spoke of aiming for “double digits” in Grand Slam titles—a lofty goal that reflects her belief in her potential. Her 2025 season, though, hasn’t been a straight shot to glory. With an 8-4 record as March winds down, she’s yet to reach a final, and her play has occasionally lacked the spark of her 2023 peak, when she strung together a 16-match winning streak capped by that U.S. Open triumph. Losses like the one to Yulia Putintseva in Cincinnati last summer stung, but they’ve also fueled her growth. “I’m trying to change some things,” she said in Miami, hinting at adjustments in her approach—perhaps a nod to Daly’s influence on her serve, a shot that’s been a work in progress.
Next up, Gauff faces a tough test against No. 27 seed Anastasia Potapova, a Russian player with a knack for upsetting the odds. A win would propel her into the fourth round, inching her closer to shedding the Miami monkey off her back. But beyond this tournament, her words resonate with a broader ambition. In an era dominated by Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and emerging talents, Gauff’s chase for another major isn’t just about personal glory—it’s about cementing a legacy that transcends numbers. As she put it, “I want to strengthen the foundations,” a sentiment that echoes through the palm-lined courts of Miami and into the annals of tennis history she’s determined to shape.
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