As the tennis world converges on Montreal for the 2025 Canadian Open, Coco Gauff, the reigning US Open champion and world No. 3, is making headlines not only for her singles campaign but also for her candid reflections on a missed opportunity in doubles. The 21-year-old American, known for her prowess in both singles and doubles, revealed she regretted not partnering with Canadian rising star Victoria Mboko for the WTA 1000 event. Gauff’s introspection, shared during a pre-tournament press conference, highlights her admiration for the 18-year-old’s talent and hints at a potential future collaboration that could electrify the doubles circuit.
Gauff, who has scaled the heights of the WTA Tour with a career-high No. 2 singles ranking and a former No. 1 in doubles, is no stranger to strategic partnerships. Her nine doubles titles include a 2024 French Open triumph with Katerina Siniakova and five WTA 1000 titles alongside Jessica Pegula. However, for the Canadian Open, Gauff initially considered teaming up with Alexandra Eala, a Filipino prodigy with whom she reached the quarterfinals at the 2025 Italian Open. “She slid in my DMs and asked me to play. And I was like, ‘Sure. Why not?’” Gauff recalled with a smile, reflecting on how a single Instagram message sparked their Rome partnership. Despite their chemistry, the Montreal doubles draw took an unexpected turn, pairing Gauff with compatriot McCartney Kessler, a first-time collaboration that has fans buzzing with anticipation.
Yet, it was Gauff’s praise for Mboko that stole the spotlight. The Canadian teenager, who started 2025 ranked No. 333 but surged to No. 137 after a breakout win at the Miami Open, impressed Gauff with her athleticism and power. “She is a super great player and a very nice person,” Gauff said of Mboko. “I was thinking that I should have asked her to play doubles here, but I wasn’t thinking at the top of my head, so hopefully one of these days I will get to play with her.” Mboko’s dynamic game—marked by a formidable serve, potent groundstrokes, and exceptional court coverage—caught Gauff’s attention during their recent singles clash at the Italian Open, where Mboko pushed her to three sets. “For sure in the movement, I felt like playing myself because I feel like I move pretty well, she moves very well,” Gauff noted, highlighting Mboko’s agility as a standout trait.
Mboko’s meteoric rise adds intrigue to Gauff’s comments. The 18-year-old, who won her maiden WTA main-draw match in Rome, has drawn comparisons to Gauff’s own teenage breakthrough at Wimbledon 2019. Despite falling to Marketa Vondrousova in Montreal’s singles draw after taking the first set, Mboko’s performance underscored her potential. Gauff, who has faced the pressures of early stardom herself, sees a kindred spirit in Mboko. “She’s obviously a big hitter, can play well, has a nice backhand, same on the forehand,” Gauff said, envisioning a doubles partnership that could blend their speed and power. “I am sure we are going to have many more battles in the future, and I’m sure she is going to have a lot of success on tour.”
Gauff’s doubles journey in Montreal, however, is now set with Kessler, a 26-year-old American ranked No. 62 in singles. The pairing, finalized in the tournament draw, marks a fresh chapter for Gauff, who has scaled back her doubles commitments since parting with Pegula after the 2024 Paris Olympics. “I’m not going to be playing doubles week-in and week-out,” Gauff explained previously, citing the grueling demands of the tour. Her decision to team with Kessler reflects a strategic focus on nurturing new partnerships while preparing for the US Open, where she aims to defend her 2023 singles title. The Canadian Open, a key hard-court stop, offers Gauff a chance to fine-tune her game, though her singles draw is formidable, with a potential second-round clash against Danielle Collins looming.
The buzz around Gauff’s comments about Mboko underscores her role as a mentor-like figure for younger players, despite being only 21 herself. Her openness about missed opportunities and her enthusiasm for Mboko’s future signal a generosity that resonates on tour. “It’s great to have people around my age,” Gauff said, reflecting on the influx of young talent like Mboko, Mirra Andreeva, and Linda Noskova. “It does make a difference.” As Gauff navigates the Canadian Open, her focus remains on singles glory, but her nod to Mboko has sparked excitement about a potential doubles alliance that could light up future tournaments. For now, fans will watch closely as Gauff and Kessler take the court, while dreaming of a Gauff-Mboko partnership that could redefine WTA doubles in the years to come.
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