In the bustling world of professional tennis, where schedules are relentless and the pressure to perform is unyielding, Coco Gauff has emerged as a beacon of resilience and adaptability. The 21-year-old American tennis prodigy, ranked world No. 2, recently expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Canadian Open organizers for granting a scheduling request she fiercely advocated for, ensuring a smoother transition from Montreal to the Cincinnati Open. This accommodation proved pivotal, allowing Gauff to navigate the grueling demands of the WTA tour while clinching a remarkable doubles title alongside partner McCartney Kessler, despite an early exit in singles. Her journey at the 2025 Canadian Open, marked by tenacity and a touch of controversy, underscores her growing influence both on and off the court.
Gauff’s Canadian Open campaign began with high expectations as the top seed in Montreal. Fresh off her French Open triumph earlier in 2025, where she outlasted Aryna Sabalenka to claim her second Grand Slam title, Gauff was eager to kick off the North American hard-court swing with a bang. “I am very happy to be back here in Montreal,” she declared at the singles draw ceremony. “I hope to have a good start to the hard-court tour, since this will be my first tournament on this surface since last March.” However, her singles run was far from smooth. In her opening match, Gauff battled past fellow American Danielle Collins in a grueling three-setter, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(2), despite a staggering 23 double faults—the fifth-highest in a WTA Tour match since 2019. “Making serves into the court was the toughest challenge,” she admitted, reflecting on the match’s intensity. “Maybe if I had cut that in half, it could have been a quicker match.”
Her struggles persisted in the third round against Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova, where she overcame 14 double faults and 53 unforced errors to secure a 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 victory. Gauff’s resilience shone through as she turned frustration into fuel. “I just think I got really upset with myself, and I was just like, ‘You know, just try to hit the ball hard and deep in the court,’” she said. “Eventually, I was able to turn that anger into something more positive.” Yet, her singles journey ended abruptly in the fourth round, where 18-year-old Canadian wildcard Victoria Mboko stunned her 6-1, 6-4 in just 62 minutes. “She’s playing high-level tennis,” Gauff graciously acknowledged. “I think that’s what showed today. I think she was the better player.”
Despite the singles setback, Gauff’s Canadian Open story took a triumphant turn in doubles. Partnering with McCartney Kessler, she reached her first WTA doubles final since her 2024 French Open victory with Kateřina Siniaková. The duo’s semifinal win over Barbora Krejcikova and Jelena Ostapenko, 6-4, 3-6, 10-7, showcased Gauff’s versatility and determination. Their unexpected run to the final, culminating in a title win against Taylor Townsend and Zhang Shuai, was a highlight of the tournament. However, the victory came with a logistical challenge: the tight scheduling between Montreal and Cincinnati, exacerbated by a new condensed format for the two Masters 1000 events. Gauff, unwilling to let her success derail her preparation for Cincinnati—a tournament she won in 2023 en route to her US Open title—pushed for a scheduling adjustment. “I pushed really hard for that final to be on Wednesday,” she revealed, “and I’m very grateful for the tournament to grant that.”
Gauff’s advocacy didn’t end with gratitude. She candidly questioned the overlapping tournament format, noting its strain on players, particularly those competing in both singles and doubles. “I mean, yes and no, because everybody’s dealing with the same thing,” she said, reflecting on the format’s fairness. “I am curious how the players who did well in Montreal, how they perform here, just because it is overlapping tournaments.” Her comments sparked discussions about the WTA’s scheduling policies, echoing sentiments from players like Leylah Fernandez, who criticized the lack of recovery time after her Washington title win. Gauff’s ability to balance competitive demands with vocal leadership highlights her maturity beyond her years.
As Gauff prepares for the Cincinnati Open, a tournament she holds dear, her Canadian Open experience—marked by serving struggles, a doubles triumph, and a successful scheduling push—sets the stage for her US Open campaign. “I think she has a great support system around her, and I think that’s important when you’re young and on tour,” Gauff said of Mboko, but the words could easily apply to herself. With a career-high ranking of No. 2, 10 singles titles, and a legacy in the making, Gauff’s journey is a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and the power of speaking up. As she eyes another deep run at Flushing Meadows, the tennis world watches eagerly, knowing Coco Gauff is just getting started.
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