Coco Gauff Explains Her Scheduling Change Despite Success Of Previous Approach

Saturday, 28 December 2024 at 01:00

byErik Virostko

Coco Gauff will start the 2025 season differently than her previous seasons, and she explained why she chose this approach.

As one of the best players on the WTA Tour, Gauff can choose any type of schedule she wants. While some lower-ranked players might choose tournaments based on the entry ranking cut-off or wild card availability, the 20-year-old American player has a free hand.

As such, she can try various different approaches, and also, she is in a better position to negotiate for appearance fees. Those are often overlooked by fans, as many don't realize that outside of prize money, players are often paid just to appear at events.

When it comes to Gauff, she had a certain way that she started her season in the past couple of years, but she changed that approach in 2025, which was a bit surprising.

In 2023 and 2024, Gauff played at the ASB Classic in Auckland, and both times, she left the tournament with a trophy. In 2025, despite being a two-time defending champion, she chose not to travel to New Zealand.

Instead, the 2023 US Open champion chose to compete at the United Cup, which is a team competition held in Perth and Sydney. Her main teammate will be Taylor Fritz, who will lead the American team with Gauff.

Ahead of the 2025 United Cup, Gauff talked to the press present in Perth, explaining her decision to skip the ASB Classic in 2025 in favor of the United Cup.

The higher level of competition was what motivated Gauff, as she didn't want to compete at the WTA 250 event to start the season. On top of that, being in a team environment is also something that she wanted to experience again.

"Yeah, I love Auckland. I won twice there. It was a great tournament. For me I wanted to play a higher level of competition and also a team competition. I had a lot of fun with the Olympics."

"Basically, a similar crew here today. Yeah, just had a lot of fun. The season's already so much by ourselves that it's nice to mix it up. I'm looking forward to hopefully having a good couple weeks here in Perth and hopefully in Sydney, as well."

Read also

Iga Swiatek Claims 'No Reason' For WADA Appeal Like In Jannik Sinner's Case

Team USA will take on Canada in the first tie of the 2025 United Cup, and Gauff was also asked about that rivalry. In many sports, there is a certain rivalry between countries, but due to the lack of team competitions, that is not so palpable in tennis.

For Gauff, who will start against Leylah Fernandez, it's not about who stands on the other side of the net. Her goal is always the same: she wants to win the match.

"I guess from tennis, we just think of players. You could put it like that. Yeah, I think we're all pumped up to play regardless if it's Canada or whoever. I think we all want to win."

"It's not an easy start to the first match of the year, playing Leylah and Felix. But I think we're up, ready for it. Yeah, obviously, at the Olympics, we actually last to Team Canada. Hopefully, we can get a little bit of revenge for that."