Coco Gauff will start her season differently in 2025 after signing up to play at the United Cup, a team event held at the start of the calendar.
The American is currently focused on trying to win back-to-back titles at the Wuhan Open. She secured her second WTA-1000 title at the China Open last week, beating Karolina Muchova in the final.
Gauff has continued her impressive form at the Wuhan Open. She reached the semifinal after easing past Magda Linette, setting up a blockbuster match against Aryna Sabalenka, who will become No. 1 after the event in Wuhan.
Her positive form shows that the decision to part ways with Brad Gilbert was wise. Gauff's new coach, Matt Daly, has had an immediate impact, with the 20-year-old looking more confident than previously.
The only title she had won in 2024 before her excellent form during the Asian Swing was at the ASB Classic in Auckland, a WTA-250 event held during the season's opening week, having also claimed the title in New Zealand in 2023.
Many would have expected Gauff to begin her season in Auckland again after her previous successes. Top 10 players can enter WTA-250 tournaments if they are the defending champion.
However, Gauff has instead decided to play the United Cup, a combined ATP/WTA team event that contains a men's singles, women's singles, and mixed doubles match in each tie at the tournament held in Parth and Sydney in Australia.
Germany won last year's iteration of the United Cup. Laura Siegemund and Alexander Zverev managed a dramatic victory against Team Poland's Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz to seal the title.
Gauff will join Taylor Fritz at the United Cup, with whom she played mixed doubles at the Olympics. They were among the favorites to win a medal at Roland-Garros but could not manage it in the end.
Fritz also played in the U.S. United Cup team last year. He and Jessica Pegula were the highest-ranked players on what looked like a strong team, but the Americans were unable to advance past the group stage.
Gauff made an announcement outlining her excitement about being a part of the event, mentioning she was especially happy that it would allow her to experience parts of Australia outside Melbourne.
"This will be my first time playing the United Cup so I’m super excited to kick off the year in Australia. It’s always an honour to represent my country. It’s a really, cool event. I had a lot of fun playing mixed doubles at the Olympics so I kinda want to do that again."
"I’ve never been to other parts of Australia, other than Melbourne. I don’t know what city we’re going to play in yet but I’m super excited to go whether it’s Perth or Sydney.”
Zverev, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Stefanos Tsitsipas are some of the other players who will feature at the 2025 United Cup. It is always an enjoyable tournament played in a good spirit, and the next iteration held from December 27th to January 5th should be no different.
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