As the 2025 French Open looms, American tennis prodigy Coco Gauff is channeling recent setbacks into fuel for a deep run at Roland Garros. The 20-year-old world No. 3, a former finalist at the Parisian Grand Slam, reflected on her disappointing performances in Madrid and Rome, where she suffered early exits, as she prepares to take on the red clay starting May 25, 2025. Gauff’s resolve to turn losses into lessons was evident as she spoke candidly about her mindset, saying, “I’m just trying to take it day by day and really focus on learning from Madrid and Rome.” Her determination to harness those experiences underscores her growth as a player and her ambition to claim a second Grand Slam title.
Gauff’s clay season has been a mixed bag. In Madrid, she fell in the third round to France’s Caroline Garcia, a 6-4, 6-3 defeat that exposed vulnerabilities in her game on the slower surface. Rome offered little reprieve, as she exited in the fourth round against Spain’s Paula Badosa in a tight 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 battle. These losses, part of a 15-7 season record, stung for the 2023 US Open champion, who has yet to replicate her hard-court success on clay. “I feel like I was playing well, but I wasn’t able to close it out when it mattered,” Gauff admitted, pinpointing her struggles to convert key opportunities. Despite converting only 48% of break points in those matches, her 65% first-serve win rate and 28 winners in Rome signal her potential to dominate when at her best.
The French Open holds special significance for Gauff, who reached the final in 2022 as an 18-year-old, falling to Iga Swiatek. That run, which included a straight-sets win over Elise Mertens in the fourth round, showcased her speed, defensive prowess, and ability to adapt to clay’s demands. Now, with a bolstered team including new coach Matt Daly, Gauff is refining her game to tackle the surface’s challenges. “Clay is tricky, but I’m working on my movement and being more aggressive,” she said, emphasizing her focus on improving her sliding technique and shot selection. Her preparation included intense practice sessions in Paris, where she arrived early to acclimate to the courts at Roland Garros.
Gauff’s draw at the 2025 French Open is no cakewalk. She opens against Belgium’s Alison Van Uytvanck, a tricky opponent with a strong serve, ranked No. 97. A potential second-round clash with qualifier Anca Todoni or former top-10 player Dayana Yastremska awaits, while the third round could pit her against eighth seed Ons Jabeur, who leads their head-to-head 2-1. Further challenges loom, with a possible fourth-round matchup against Jelena Ostapenko and a quarterfinal against world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, who has dominated their rivalry 10-2. “I’m not looking too far ahead, but I know the draw is tough,” Gauff noted, her pragmatism reflecting her maturity.
Beyond her on-court battles, Gauff’s off-court perspective adds depth to her journey. As one of the WTA’s most prominent voices, she has embraced her role as a leader, advocating for mental health and gender equality in sports. Her recent comments on handling pressure resonate as she navigates the expectations of being a Grand Slam contender. “You can’t let the losses define you. It’s about what you do next,” she said, a mantra that will guide her in Paris. Her 2025 season, highlighted by a Doha title and a Wimbledon semifinal, shows she’s no stranger to bouncing back.
Gauff’s French Open campaign also carries personal significance. After her 2022 final, she expressed a desire to inspire young athletes, particularly from diverse backgrounds. Her connection to the tournament deepened with her doubles success, having won the 2024 Roland Garros doubles title alongside Katerina Siniakova. This year, she’ll partner with Jessica Pegula in doubles, aiming to balance both draws while chasing singles glory. “Roland Garros feels like a second home,” Gauff said, her affection for the event evident.
As she steps onto the clay of Court Philippe-Chatrier, Gauff’s blend of resilience, skill, and introspection makes her a formidable contender. Her ability to learn from Madrid and Rome could be the key to unlocking her potential in Paris, where she aims to join Serena Williams as the only American women to win the French Open in the last 25 years. With the tennis world watching, Gauff’s journey at the 2025 French Open, running through June 8, promises to be a compelling chapter in her evolving legacy.
# Coco Gauff Turns Madrid, Rome Setbacks into French Open Fuel
As the 2025 French Open looms, American tennis prodigy Coco Gauff is channeling recent setbacks into fuel for a deep run at Roland Garros. The 20-year-old world No. 3, a former finalist at the Parisian Grand Slam, reflected on her disappointing performances in Madrid and Rome, where she suffered early exits, as she prepares to take on the red clay starting May 25, 2025. Gauff’s resolve to turn losses into lessons was evident as she spoke candidly about her mindset, saying, “I’m just trying to take it day by day and really focus on learning from Madrid and Rome.” Her determination to harness those experiences underscores her growth as a player and her ambition to claim a second Grand Slam title.
Gauff’s clay season has been a mixed bag. In Madrid, she fell in the third round to France’s Caroline Garcia, a 6-4, 6-3 defeat that exposed vulnerabilities in her game on the slower surface. Rome offered little reprieve, as she exited in the fourth round against Spain’s Paula Badosa in a tight 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 battle. These losses, part of a 15-7 season record, stung for the 2023 US Open champion, who has yet to replicate her hard-court success on clay. “I feel like I was playing well, but I wasn’t able to close it out when it mattered,” Gauff admitted, pinpointing her struggles to convert key opportunities. Despite converting only 48% of break points in those matches, her 65% first-serve win rate and 28 winners in Rome signal her potential to dominate when at her best.
The French Open holds special significance for Gauff, who reached the final in 2022 as an 18-year-old, falling to Iga Swiatek. That run, which included a straight-sets win over Elise Mertens in the fourth round, showcased her speed, defensive prowess, and ability to adapt to clay’s demands. Now, with a bolstered team including new coach Matt Daly, Gauff is refining her game to tackle the surface’s challenges. “Clay is tricky, but I’m working on my movement and being more aggressive,” she said, emphasizing her focus on improving her sliding technique and shot selection. Her preparation included intense practice sessions in Paris, where she arrived early to acclimate to the courts at Roland Garros.
Gauff’s draw at the 2025 French Open is no cakewalk. She opens against Belgium’s Alison Van Uytvanck, a tricky opponent with a strong serve, ranked No. 97. A potential second-round clash with qualifier Anca Todoni or former top-10 player Dayana Yastremska awaits, while the third round could pit her against eighth seed Ons Jabeur, who leads their head-to-head 2-1. Further challenges loom, with a possible fourth-round matchup against Jelena Ostapenko and a quarterfinal against world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, who has dominated their rivalry 10-2. “I’m not looking too far ahead, but I know the draw is tough,” Gauff noted, her pragmatism reflecting her maturity.
Beyond her on-court battles, Gauff’s off-court perspective adds depth to her journey. As one of the WTA’s most prominent voices, she has embraced her role as a leader, advocating for mental health and gender equality in sports. Her recent comments on handling pressure resonate as she navigates the expectations of being a Grand Slam contender. “You can’t let the losses define you. It’s about what you do next,” she said, a mantra that will guide her in Paris. Her 2025 season, highlighted by a Doha title and a Wimbledon semifinal, shows she’s no stranger to bouncing back.
Gauff’s French Open campaign also carries personal significance. After her 2022 final, she expressed a desire to inspire young athletes, particularly from diverse backgrounds. Her connection to the tournament deepened with her doubles success, having won the 2024 Roland Garros doubles title alongside Katerina Siniakova. This year, she’ll partner with Jessica Pegula in doubles, aiming to balance both draws while chasing singles glory. “Roland Garros feels like a second home,” Gauff said, her affection for the event evident.
As she steps onto the clay of Court Philippe-Chatrier, Gauff’s blend of resilience, skill, and introspection makes her a formidable contender. Her ability to learn from Madrid and Rome could be the key to unlocking her potential in Paris, where she aims to join Serena Williams as the only American women to win the French Open in the last 25 years. With the tennis world watching, Gauff’s journey at the 2025 French Open, running through June 8, promises to be a compelling chapter in her evolving legacy.
Leave a Reply