Coco Gauff Highlights Her “Main Focus” Ahead of the Australian Open and Schedule Adjustment
Coco Gauff, the world-ranked No. 3 tennis star, has emphasized that her “main focus” is to excel at the Australian Open 2025, as she sheds light on a significant schedule adjustment early in the season. The 20-year-old enters the year brimming with confidence after a stellar finish to 2024, where she claimed her second WTA 1000 title at the China Open and triumphed at the WTA Finals in Riyadh.
The Australian Open, one of the most prestigious tournaments in the tennis calendar, kicks off on January 12th. Having reached the semifinals in 2024, Gauff is poised as one of the leading contenders for the women’s singles title. In preparation, the young American has chosen to compete at the United Cup, marking a shift from her previous commitment to the Auckland Open, where she was the defending champion for two consecutive years.
Coco Gauff Chooses United Cup Over Auckland Open
Reflecting on her decision to prioritize the United Cup, Coco Gauff explained her focus on elevating her gameplay through tougher competition. “I love Auckland. Winning there twice has been amazing, and it’s a fantastic tournament,” Gauff shared. “But this year, I wanted to challenge myself with a higher level of competition and enjoy the dynamics of a team event. After having so much fun at the Paris Olympics, I realized how refreshing it is to mix up the season, which is often very individual-focused.”
Gauff’s previous victories in Auckland included a dominant 2023 final against Rebeka Masarova and a hard-fought comeback win against Elina Svitolina in 2024. Despite this success, her decision to skip the WTA 250 tournament highlights her determination to fine-tune her preparation for Melbourne.
She added, “I think all of us have the same goal – the Australian Open. That’s where our main focus lies, and we want to be at our best.”
United Cup: Gauff’s First Challenge of 2025
At the United Cup, Coco Gauff will lead Team USA alongside men’s counterpart Taylor Fritz, who played a pivotal role in the country’s victory in the tournament’s inaugural edition in 2023. The team’s campaign begins on December 29th in Perth against Canada, where Gauff will face the formidable Leylah Fernandez, while Fritz takes on Felix Auger-Aliassime.
The action continues with a showdown against Croatia on December 31st, where Gauff is anticipated to compete against Donna Vekic in the women’s singles category. Discussing her excitement for the event, she said, “We’re all thrilled to take on Canada and Croatia. It’s never easy starting the season with tough opponents like Leylah and Felix, but we’re ready for the challenge. Getting some solid matches early on is crucial for starting the year strong.”
As the countdown to the Australian Open 2025 begins, all eyes are on Coco Gauff as she seeks to build momentum and achieve her first Grand Slam title. With her strategic schedule adjustment and focus on higher competition, Gauff is setting the stage for an exciting year in women’s tennis.
