Coco Gauff, the world No. 2 and reigning French Open champion, has taken a calculated step back from the relentless WTA schedule, opting to skip the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington to focus on a vital training block. As she prepares for the National Bank Open in Montreal, where she faces fellow American Danielle Collins in the second round, Gauff’s decision reflects a mature approach to managing her career amidst a grueling season. Her candid explanation—“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”—underscores the physical and mental toll of the professional tennis calendar, offering fans a glimpse into her strategic mindset as she eyes a strong finish to 2025.
Gauff’s choice to forego Washington came after a disappointing grass-court swing, where she played just two matches, losing both. A first-round exit at Wimbledon to Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska in straight sets, 7-6(3), 6-1, marked a low point, exposing vulnerabilities in her game on grass. “Mentally I was a little bit overwhelmed with everything that came afterwards,” Gauff admitted, reflecting on the whirlwind following her French Open triumph in June. Her Roland Garros victory, a comeback from a set down against Aryna Sabalenka, solidified her as a two-time Grand Slam champion, following her 2023 US Open win. However, the rapid transition from clay to grass, coupled with the intense demands of the summer schedule, including the Paris Olympics, left her drained. By choosing training over competition, Gauff aimed to reset, refine her serve, and sharpen her mental edge for the hard-court season leading into the US Open.
The Montreal tournament, a WTA 1000 event, holds special significance for Gauff. “Being back in Montreal is great, and it’s definitely refreshing,” she said, appreciating the event’s unique format of alternating host cities with Toronto. “I like that they change it every other year just because it feels different each time.” Despite her enthusiasm, Gauff’s history at the Canadian Open has been modest, with her best result a quarter-final appearance in 2022 as an 18-year-old. Last year, she fell in the third round to Diana Shnaider, a frustrating 6-4, 6-1 defeat. Entering as the top seed in 2025, with world No. 1 Sabalenka absent due to fatigue, Gauff faces a golden opportunity to claim her first Canadian Open title, though she’ll need to navigate tough competition from players like Iga Swiatek and Jessica Pegula.
Gauff’s decision to prioritize training mirrors a broader sentiment among top players about the WTA’s demanding schedule. “It was nice to actually have some time in between,” she noted, emphasizing the rarity of extended practice periods. After Wimbledon, she returned home to Delray Beach, Florida, to work on her game, particularly her serve, which faltered against Yastremska, where she double-faulted twice in a critical tiebreak. Her coach, Brad Gilbert, who guided her to the 2023 US Open title, has been instrumental in addressing these technical aspects. Gauff’s perfectionist streak, often cited as both a strength and a challenge, drives her to refine her game, even after setbacks. “I’m not going to dwell on this too long because I want to do well at US Open,” she said post-Wimbledon, signaling her focus on the bigger picture.
The absence of Gauff in Washington allowed Canada’s Leylah Fernandez to shine, as she claimed the DC Open title with victories over Pegula and Elena Rybakina. Meanwhile, Gauff’s training block has her entering Montreal recharged, facing a maiden WTA Tour-level clash with Collins, a former world No. 7. A potential third-round match against Veronika Kudermetova or Olga Danilovic looms, with top seeds like Jasmine Paolini and Rybakina in her quarter. Gauff’s 31-10 record in 2025, including titles in Australia and France, reflects her elite status, but her hunger for more is palpable. “I just want to do well at this tournament one of these years,” she said of Montreal, echoing her ambition to conquer new heights.
As Gauff balances her professional grind with personal life—she recently spoke of the challenges of staying connected with her brothers, Codey, a baseball prospect, and Cameron, a multisport athlete—her strategic break underscores a commitment to longevity. With the US Open on the horizon, where she aims to reclaim the title she won in 2023, Gauff’s focus on training could prove pivotal. Her ability to rebound from setbacks, as she did after a 2023 Wimbledon loss with a hard-court winning streak, suggests she’s poised to make waves in Montreal and beyond, carrying the hopes of American tennis fans.
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