Coco Gauff sends message to Paula Badosa on social media after she knocks her out of the Australian Open

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Coco Gauff is now the latest WTA star to exit the Australian Open, having lost her quarter-final with Paula Badosa.

Gauff won her first nine matches of the season, but her dream run has now been ended at the Australian Open by 11th seed Badosa.

WTA number three Gauff, the third seed in Melbourne, lost 7-5, 6-4 to the 27-year-old Spaniard at Rod Laver Arena.

Gauff is trying to appreciate her career, but the 20-year-old may just leave the Australian Open knowing success was a real possibility.

The American clinched the WTA Finals at the end of last season, before shining for the USA as they won the United Cup at the start of this season.

Coco Gauff wishes Paula Badosa luck after Australian Open exit

Still, she can be proud of her efforts, with Gauff receiving a heartfelt message from Badosa shortly after their match.

“It’s always a pleasure to share the court with you,” the Spaniard wrote on her Instagram story. “I really admire you and you are a true champion! For many more battles.”

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Gauff shared the message on her Instagram story, and responded in kind: “Thank you. You’re a great competitor and even better person, good luck the rest of the way.”

Paula Badosa clinches two personal bests with Australian Open win over Coco Gauff

The result between Badosa and Gauff represents a series of firsts, with the latter on the receiving end of her first loss of 2025.

The former meanwhile has reached her first Grand Slam semi-final, having been 0-2 in her previous quarter-finals.

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It also represents Badosa’s first top-10 win at a Grand Slam, which she achieved within one hour and 43 minutes.

She has also taken her head-to-head record over Gauff to 4-3 with the success, having lost both of their meetings in 2024.

And impressively, all four of her triumphs have come in straight sets, with Badosa now set to be full of confidence for her first-ever Grand Slam semi-final after a huge victory in every sense of the word.