Under the golden hues of Beijing’s autumn sun, where the ancient whispers of the Forbidden City mingle with the sharp cracks of tennis balls on clay, Coco Gauff is once again proving why she’s the beating heart of modern women’s tennis. At 21, the Florida phenom has transformed from wide-eyed prodigy to a global icon, her every swing a blend of raw power and unyielding grace. But amid the high-stakes drama of the 2025 China Open—a WTA 1000 spectacle that draws the world’s elite to Diamond Valley’s pristine courts—Gauff is revealing a side that’s as endearing as it is electric: a champion who thrives not just on aces and baselines, but on the heartfelt chaos of fan love. Defending her title from last year, she’s not only dismantling opponents with surgical precision but also issuing a whimsical challenge to her most devoted supporters, craving a nickname that roars louder than her signature forehand.
It all unfolded on a crisp Friday evening, September 26, as Gauff launched her title defense against Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova. The match was a masterclass in controlled dominance: a gritty first set surrendered at 6-4 after a tense battle of service breaks, followed by a second-set demolition that saw Gauff concede just a single game, wrapping it up 6-0 in a brisk 72 minutes. Rakhimova, a qualifier with grit to spare, fought valiantly but couldn’t match the American’s blistering pace—Gauff tallied 28 winners to her opponent’s 12, her movement on the hard courts as fluid as the nearby Summer Palace’s lotus ponds. As the final point landed, Gauff raised her arms in quiet triumph, the crowd’s cheers swelling like a tidal wave. But it was what came after—the post-match wave, the lingering glances toward the stands—that hinted at the real story brewing off the court.
Gauff has always been a magnet for adoration, her infectious energy turning casual spectators into lifelong devotees. Yet in Beijing, the affection hits a fever pitch. Chinese fans, renowned for their elaborate tributes and boundless creativity, have showered her with gifts that could fill a small museum: plush pandas in tennis whites, hand-painted scrolls depicting her iconic 2023 US Open victory, even custom fruit platters nodding to her quirky pre-match ritual. Last year, she returned home with a suitcase so stuffed it strained at the seams; this time, wiser and wiser-cracking, she arrived with an extra duffel bag, half-joking that it was her “gift contingency plan.” “I have literally so many gifts, more gifts than I’ve gotten on Christmas in my entire life,” she shared with a laugh during a press session, her eyes sparkling under the arena lights. “I purposely packed light because last year I packed full and it was a struggle to get everything back. I do keep all of them. A lot of the stuffed animals are a decoration in my house.” It’s this genuine warmth that endears her to the locals, who see in her not just a world No. 3 but a bridge between cultures—a young woman who raves about Beijing’s street food, its neon-lit hutongs, and the serene escape of the Temple of Heaven.
Amid the plush toys and personalized banners, two nicknames have stuck like rally-long baselines: “Fruit Salad Queen” and “Ambassador of Beijing.” The first is a delicious tribute to Gauff’s go-to energy hack—a vibrant medley of strawberries, blueberries, and kiwi she swears by for sustaining those marathon matches. It’s cute, colorful, and utterly on-brand for a player whose style bursts with youthful zest. The second honors her role as the city’s unofficial cheerleader; Gauff’s social media is dotted with odes to Peking duck feasts and midnight bike rides along the Liangma River, earning her a status akin to a tennis-playing diplomat. “Yeah, I think they’re the best, most creative fans. I love coming here,” she gushed, her voice bubbling with sincerity. But beneath the delight, there’s a playful itch for evolution. As she eyes the latter stages of the tournament—next up, a tantalizing second-round clash with fellow former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez—Gauff is ready to shed a layer of whimsy for something sharper, more primal.
Enter her bold, tongue-in-cheek challenge, tossed out like a drop shot during comments on the WTA Tour’s platform. “I guess I have a challenge for the Chinese fans,” Gauff declared, leaning into the microphone with a mischievous grin. “I would like to know what animal resonates with me. I mean, fruit salad is cool, but I think being named after an animal is cooler. I would like to see what animal they think I am.” It’s a request laced with fire: no more queens of the produce aisle; she wants a moniker that mirrors her on-court ferocity—the lioness pouncing on break points, the eagle soaring over net cords, perhaps even a dragon evoking the mythical strength of her adopted Chinese fans. In a sport where mental edge can turn tides, this isn’t just banter; it’s Gauff owning her narrative, inviting the roar of the crowd to fuel her quest for back-to-back titles.
This moment captures the essence of why Gauff captivates. At just 15, she stunned the world by toppling Venus Williams at Wimbledon, a fairy-tale upset that announced her as tennis’s next big thing. Fast-forward to now: a French Open crown in 2024, Olympic doubles gold with Jessica Pegula, and a relentless climb that has her knocking on the door of Grand Slam immortality. Yet, for all her hardware, it’s her humanity that shines brightest—the way she FaceTimes her little brother after wins, or how she uses her platform to champion social justice and climate action. In Beijing, that authenticity blooms amid the gifts and chants, transforming a routine tournament into a cultural love fest. Fans have already buzzed online, speculating wildly: a sleek panther for her stealthy returns? A phoenix for her comeback artistry? The possibilities swirl like incense in a temple, and Gauff, ever the strategist, knows the power of anticipation.
As the China Open unfolds—its draws packed with heavyweights like Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka lurking in the wings—Gauff’s plea adds a layer of levity to the pressure cooker. Fernandez, her next foe, brings a lefty spin and shared history from that epic 2021 US Open final, promising a duel that could echo through the bracket. But win or grind, Gauff’s focus remains laser-sharp, her extra bag a talisman of the bonds she’s forging. In a year that’s tested her with injuries and the weight of expectations, this Beijing interlude feels like a reset: a reminder that tennis, at its core, is about connection. Whether her fans crown her the “Beijing Tiger” or the “Gauff Dragon,” one thing’s clear—the Fruit Salad Queen is evolving, and the world can’t wait to see her roar.
Leave a Reply