Coco Gauff enjoyed another fantastic season on the WTA Tour in 2025, during which she claimed two titles.
That included a second Grand Slam title for Gauff at the French Open, with her first having arrived at the US Open in 2023.
Gauff is third in the year-end rankings on the WTA Tour, ending the season behind only Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek.
But while there was French Open glory, the American fell well short of success at the other three Grand Slam events.
Coco Gauff opens up about crying at the 2025 US Open
Gauff reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, but lost in the first and fourth rounds of Wimbledon and the US Open respectively.
She’s now opened up about one match in New York this year, having been asked by FN: “Brand partners and fans connect with your authenticity and realness, both on and off the court. Do you try to show up a certain way?”
She replied: “[Earlier in my career], I felt I had to be perfect because I could feel the weight of people looking up to me.
“But then I found that with my own idols and people I looked up to, it was the moments they were vulnerable that made me feel seen.
“I don’t have to show up perfect all the time. For me, I just try to show up in all environments as myself. [For instance], at the US Open this year, I was crying to get through the match, and I ended up winning.
“Vulnerability is okay, and the best athletes in the world have vulnerable times. That’s not something you should dim.
“It’s something that you should show light to. No one’s life is up all the time. It’s all about how you respond in down moments.”
How far will Coco Gauff go at the 2026 Australian Open?
Coco Gauff recalls when she ‘didn’t do so well’ in the 2025 WTA season
Despite being just 21 and still very early into her career, Gauff was as articulate as ever with her comments.
She deserves huge praise for being so mature at such a young age, having already dealt with plenty of setbacks on the court.
But there is more cause for excitement than concern for the American, who is set to become even better as the years go on.
Analysing her 2025 season in general, she said: “I started off great and didn’t do so well between the American and Middle East swing – and obviously did super well in the clay season and was able to finish the year off strong.”
Coco Gauff 2025 Season Quiz
She finished the year with 48 wins and 16 losses on the WTA Tour, with her career singles titles tally now sitting at 11.
Gauff emerged victorious in Wuhan as well as Roland Garros, with a title defence at the 2026 United Cup now on her agenda for the new season.
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