As the hard-court season kicks off in North America, all eyes are on Coco Gauff, the world No. 2 and top seed at the 2025 National Bank Open in Montreal. Fresh off her French Open victory in June, the 21-year-old American is poised to make a significant impact at this prestigious WTA 1000 event, running from July 27 to August 7. With the absence of world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka due to fatigue, Gauff has emerged as the tournament’s leading favorite, carrying both opportunity and pressure as she aims to conquer the Canadian hard courts.
Gauff’s arrival in Montreal marks a pivotal moment in her season. After a challenging grass-court swing, where she suffered a surprising first-round exit at Wimbledon and a Round of 16 loss in Berlin, the young star is eager to reset and build momentum ahead of the US Open. “I am very happy to be back here in Montreal, hoping to have a good start on hard courts, as this will be my first cement tournament since last March,” Gauff shared during the singles draw ceremony, her enthusiasm palpable as she addressed the crowd. Her words reflect a renewed focus, bolstered by a recent relaxing getaway in Florida with her boyfriend, Jalen Sera, which provided a much-needed mental recharge.
The Montreal draw, however, is no walk in the park. Gauff faces a formidable challenge right from the start, with a potential second-round matchup against Danielle Collins, a former top-10 player known for her aggressive style. Should she advance, players like Serbia’s Olga Danilovic or rising stars such as Diana Shnaider or Jasmine Paolini could await in later rounds. The tournament field is stacked with talent, including two-time defending champion Jessica Pegula, recent Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek, and emerging threats like Mirra Andreeva and Amanda Anisimova. Despite the tough competition, Gauff’s relatively smooth path in the early rounds—avoiding Swiatek and Pegula until a potential final—positions her well to make a deep run.
Gauff’s history in Montreal adds an extra layer of motivation. Having reached the quarterfinals three times at this event, she is determined to surpass that milestone. “I didn’t think honestly that I could win but I’m actually going to quote [US rapper] Tyler, The Creator right here and he said ‘if I ever told you I had a doubt inside me I must be lying’,” Gauff remarked, channeling a mindset of unwavering belief. This confidence echoes her approach at the French Open, where she drew inspiration from Olympic sprinter Gabby Thomas, writing “I will be French Open champion 2025” repeatedly to manifest her victory. That mental fortitude propelled her to a hard-fought 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 win over Sabalenka, securing her second Grand Slam title.
The National Bank Open’s expanded 12-day format and 96-player draw—the largest in its history—underscores the event’s significance as a critical stepping stone to the US Open. For Gauff, it’s an opportunity to fine-tune her game on hard courts, a surface where she has previously excelled, notably with her 2023 US Open triumph. However, her 2024 Canadian Open campaign was less successful, marked by a second-round loss in Toronto, which she attributed to a lack of confidence and tactical errors. Learning from that experience, Gauff is now focused on playing aggressively and trusting her instincts, particularly on returns, where she ranks among the tour’s best alongside Swiatek and Sabalenka.
Beyond her personal goals, Gauff carries the weight of expectations as a role model. Reflecting on her journey, she acknowledges the influence of Serena Williams, aspiring to inspire the next generation of players. “My biggest goal would be to have someone start to play professional tennis because of me,” she said, emphasizing her commitment to representation and impact. Her composure under pressure, honed through years of navigating the spotlight since her breakout at 15, will be crucial as she faces a talented field and the expectations of being the top seed.
As Montreal’s IGA Stadium prepares to host a star-studded lineup, Gauff’s presence adds excitement to an already electric atmosphere. With local talents like Leylah Fernandez, Bianca Andreescu, and rising star Victoria Mboko also in the mix, the tournament promises thrilling matchups. For Gauff, the goal is clear: leverage her clay-court success, adapt to the hard courts, and claim a title that has eluded her in past attempts. As she steps onto the court, her focus, resilience, and self-belief will be the keys to turning her Montreal aspirations into reality.
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