Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old American tennis sensation, brought her signature wit to the press room ahead of the 2025 US Open, delivering a lighthearted jab at her male compatriots for their lack of recent Grand Slam success. Fresh off her second major title at the 2025 French Open, Gauff couldn’t resist teasing the American men’s players when asked about any friendly rivalry with them. “It hasn’t been much of a competition,” she quipped with a laugh, before adding a hopeful note: “Maybe this US Open some magic can happen.” Her cheeky comment, delivered with a grin, sparked laughter among reporters and highlighted the stark contrast between the thriving state of American women’s tennis and the ongoing drought in the men’s game.
Gauff’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. At just 21, she’s already a two-time Grand Slam champion, having claimed the 2023 US Open and the 2025 French Open, where she outlasted world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 battle. Her achievements place her among an elite group of American women, joining legends like Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Lindsay Davenport, and Jennifer Capriati as the only US players to win multiple majors since 2000. Gauff’s dominance extends beyond singles, with a 2024 French Open doubles title alongside Kateřina Siniaková and a historic WTA Finals victory in 2024, where she became the youngest champion since Maria Sharapova in 2004. Her $4.8 million prize from that event set a record for the largest payout in women’s professional sports.
Meanwhile, the American men’s tennis scene has struggled to keep pace. The last US man to win a Grand Slam was Andy Roddick in 2003, a fact that underscores Gauff’s playful jab. Current top American men like Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, and Ben Shelton have shown promise but have yet to break through at the majors. Fritz, ranked No. 4 in the world, reached the semifinals at Wimbledon in 2025, while Paul and Shelton have made deep runs in recent tournaments. Yet, none have reached a Grand Slam final, a milestone Gauff has achieved twice. Her comment, though humorous, reflects a reality that American men are still chasing the kind of success she and her female peers—Madison Keys, Sloane Stephens, and Sofia Kenin—have delivered.
“I’m just happy to be here, a lot of dark thoughts,” Gauff said, reflecting on her journey since losing the 2022 French Open final at age 18. That defeat to Iga Świątek was a turning point, pushing her to refine her game and mental approach. Her resilience was on full display in Paris this year, where she collapsed on the clay in disbelief after defeating Sabalenka. “I didn’t think I could do it,” she admitted during the trophy ceremony, revealing she wrote “I will be the French Open champion 2025” repeatedly the night before to manifest her victory. Her ability to channel setbacks into motivation has made her a role model, especially for young girls, and an inspiration off the court through initiatives like her $100,000 Coco Gauff Scholarship Program for HBCU students.
The contrast between Gauff’s achievements and the men’s struggles highlights a golden era for American women’s tennis. Keys won the 2025 Australian Open, marking the first time since 2002 that American women have claimed both majors in a single year. Gauff’s rise, coupled with her peers’ success, has shifted the narrative in US tennis, with the women leading the charge. “Having my parents always remind me that they love me regardless of how I do helped me,” Gauff said of her US Open win in 2023, a mindset that has carried her through high-pressure moments.
As the US Open approaches, Gauff’s playful taunt adds intrigue to the tournament. Can Fritz, Paul, or Shelton conjure the “magic” she hopes for and end the 22-year drought for American men? Gauff, meanwhile, is a favorite to defend her 2023 title, bringing her trademark grit and athleticism to Arthur Ashe Stadium. Her confidence is palpable: “This is the most confident I’ve felt in a long time,” she declared after her French Open triumph. With her star power and competitive fire, Gauff is not only carrying American tennis but also redefining its future, one witty jab at a time.
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