Coco Gauff, the WTA’s No. 2 and a two-time Grand Slam champion, has returned to the spotlight at the 2025 National Bank Open in Montreal, ready to reclaim her momentum after a challenging grass-court season. The 21-year-old American, who burst onto the scene as a teenage prodigy, recently opened up about her surprising decision to skip the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington, a tournament she won in 2023. In a candid pre-tournament press conference in Montreal, Gauff revealed that the grueling WTA schedule forced her to prioritize a dedicated training block over competing in the nation’s capital. “Yeah, it was nice to actually have some time in between. That’s why I didn’t play D.C., because I wanted to just have a real training block, which I hadn’t had in a while just because of how our schedule is,” she explained, offering insight into the relentless demands of professional tennis.
Gauff’s choice to bypass the WTA 500 event, where she famously defeated Maria Sakkari in straight sets two years ago, raised eyebrows, especially given her early Wimbledon exit this year. The Delray Beach native endured a tough grass-court swing, losing both of her matches, including a shocking first-round defeat to Yuliia Starodubtseva at Wimbledon, 6-4, 6-3. That loss marked her second consecutive early exit at the All England Club, following a 2023 upset by Sofia Kenin. Reflecting on her struggles, Gauff admitted the WTA’s packed calendar left her little room to refine her game. “It’s always a balance between playing matches and getting time to actually work on things,” she noted, emphasizing the need for a reset after a demanding season that included a French Open title in June 2025 and a WTA Finals victory in 2024.
Her decision to skip Washington, where she could have competed alongside top players like Jessica Pegula, Emma Raducanu, and Elena Rybakina, was strategic. Gauff used the time to return to her Florida roots, training intensely to address weaknesses, particularly her forehand, which critics have targeted as a vulnerability. “I think I just needed to step back and focus on the basics,” she said, highlighting her work with coaches to sharpen her aggressive baseline play. This approach paid dividends in 2023, when a similar post-Wimbledon training block led to a stunning run, culminating in titles at Washington, Cincinnati, and her first Grand Slam at the US Open. Fans are hopeful she can replicate that turnaround as she heads into the North American hard-court swing.
In Montreal, Gauff is the top seed, a position bolstered by World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka’s withdrawal due to fatigue. With a first-round bye, she faces a blockbuster second-round clash against compatriot Danielle Collins, a former World No. 7 who dispatched Viktoriya Tomova 6-3, 7-5 in the opener. “Being back in Montreal is great, and it’s definitely refreshing,” Gauff shared, expressing her fondness for the National Bank Open’s unique setup, where Montreal and Toronto alternate hosting the WTA and ATP 1000 events each year. “I like that they change it every other year just because it feels different each time,” she added. Her history at the tournament has been modest, with a best result of the quarter-finals, but her 2024 third-round loss to Diana Shnaider (6-4, 6-1) has fueled her determination. “I like this tournament a lot and would love to do great here one of these years,” she said.
Gauff’s candor about the WTA schedule resonates with a broader conversation in tennis, as stars like Ons Jabeur, Sabalenka, and Carlos Alcaraz have also opted out of recent events citing exhaustion. The relentless calendar, with its rapid surface switches and back-to-back tournaments, has sparked debate about player welfare. Gauff’s choice reflects a maturing approach to her career, balancing ambition with self-preservation. Her recent United Cup triumph, where she led Team USA to victory over Iga Swiatek, showcased her grit, with her “digging” celebration— inspired by teammate Denis Kudla—becoming a viral sensation. “Honestly, I think it started in my match against China. You know, he was, like, great digging, keep digging,” she laughed, explaining the gesture’s origin.
As Gauff prepares for Montreal and the looming US Open, where she’s a former champion, her focus is clear. With a revamped game and renewed confidence, she’s poised to navigate a tough draw that includes potential clashes with Veronika Kudermetova, Olga Danilovic, or Jasmine Paolini. Her heartfelt support for compatriot Taylor Townsend, who recently claimed the WTA doubles No. 1 ranking after a Citi DC Open title, underscores her camaraderie. “She deserves it all,” Gauff said of Townsend’s milestone. With the tennis world watching, Gauff’s strategic break could be the key to unlocking another career-defining run.
Leave a Reply