Coco Gauff may have lost tonight’s Miami Open final, but she can take so much from the last week.
After all, for what feels like the first time in forever, the American put together a really strong run of form to propel her past some elite opponents and into another top-level final.
She simply came up against an incredible Aryna Sabalenka, who was on a mission to become only the fifth woman to ever complete the Sunshine Double.
However, whilst Coco Gauff should leave her hometown of Miami beaming with pride, she has actually suffered a career-first hit that has ended a perfect record she had maintained for years until today.
Coco Gauff loses first hard-court final of her career against Aryna Sabalenka
If she had to lose a hard-court final, it could only have been to Sabalenka, who is inarguably the best player on that surface on the planet.
After all, before today, Gauff had played and won all nine hard-court finals she had competed in, a statistic shared by Bastien Fachan.
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This trend started with her first title, won in 2019 in Linz. Her most recent triumph came in Wuhan last year.
However, Miami in 2026 is where it ended, sadly concluding a supremely impressive statistic that deserves praise for existing, rather than scorn for its closure.
Gauff has battled through serving struggles and an unruly forehand, and if this tournament proves anything it’s that she’s moving in the right direction.
Coco Gauff’s message for Aryna Sabalenka after the Miami Open final
It’s a testament to her desperation to be the best that Gauff actually thanked Sabalenka after losing the Miami Open final for making her a greater player.
In her runners-up speech, she focused her praise on the Belarusian after yet another sparkling tournament and deserved trophy.
The 22-year-old claimed: “Next Aryna, congratulations. We have had many battles and finals.
Aryna Sabalenka is now the — best women’s player of all time
Where are you ranking her?
“I think you push me to be a better player. Congrats on all the success, on and off the court.
“You are a great fighter and hopefully we can play many more. I think we will. And congrats to your team as well, always fun to speak to you guys on Tour too.”
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