Coco Gauff: Ready to Conquer Melbourne?
The 2025 Australian Open is generating immense buzz, with Aryna Sabalenka emerging as the clear favorite. However, it would be remiss not to acknowledge the formidable presence of Coco Gauff, who has been on a tear since late last year, boasting an undefeated streak in the new season. While a championship victory in Melbourne might seem distant, Gauff undoubtedly stands as one of the most likely contenders to reach the tournament’s latter stages.
During the recent Media Day, Gauff exuded confidence, stating, “I’m relaxed and calm. I know I’ve been playing well, but you can’t play well all the time. I know there will be tough moments in the tournament, so I hope to overcome them. I just hope to enter without pressure, stay present on the court, and enjoy it as much as possible. That’s what I’ve been doing in the last few tournaments,and the results have been good because of that. So, I’m trying to learn to do the same when the results aren’t as good.”
Gauff credits her coaches, Matt and JC, for instilling a strong sense of confidence in her game.”When you feel that confidence on the court, it makes a big difference,” she explained. “We work to maintain that positive reinforcement. We also strive to stay grounded, knowing that there will be good and bad days, but without feeling judged for that. Of course, there are aspects of my game that we’ve been working on, like serving and other things. Sometimes it’s uncomfortable to focus on the long term all the time, making sure I’m making the adjustments I need.”
Gauff feels she’s in a better place mentally and physically compared to her US Open victory. “I definitely feel much better today than when I won the US Open,” she shared.”I feel like I didn’t play my best tennis in that tournament. I would say Cincinnati was my best tournament. Now I feel better than ever. I am finally aware of the importance of winning or losing a game. As athletes, we get stuck when we lose; it seems like the end of the world. We should always be grateful for winning. No one makes us feel this way except ourselves. Today I realize that it is never that vital: if I can leave the court saying that I did the best I could, that’s it.”
gauff’s game has evolved, becoming more complete and aggressive. “I have a few more tools to work with now,” she noted. “I have to go after my shots, control my double faults, and take risks. Before, I felt like I won a lot of games by recovering a lot of balls, but I realized that that is not the way to play if I want to be more triumphant on the tour because the girls are hitting harder every day, being very aggressive. I have to be able to be aggressive and also run all over the court. Against iga [Swiatek], it never matters how big you are, you will always have to run a little. But not only against her, but against all of them. The circuit has a lot of depth, so you have to bring your game, irrespective of who you are playing, whether it is indeed the No. 1 or the No.100.”
In the first round, Gauff faces Sofia Kenin, a formidable opponent who defeated her at Wimbledon. “I lost to her at Wimbledon, she is a great player, she won this tournament at the time,” Gauff acknowledged. “She has great clay court shots, is very stable, and can play aggressively, but also defensively. It’s going to be a difficult game, I’m sure of that.”
Addressing the recent struggles of world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, Gauff offered a supportive perspective. “I wouldn’t say she’s lost her confidence,” she stated. “I don’t know her personally, but from the interactions we’ve had, I don’t think anything she did was intentional. I don’t think she no longer has confidence in herself. She still plays tennis very well. The match we played turned out that I was a little better in some points, I won it by a few points, but it could have perfectly gone the other way. From what I see, I think she is doing well. She is still No. 2 in the world and she plays amazing tennis. She is always going to play incredible tennis, she will be fine.”
GauffS Calm Confidence: A Thorn in Sabalenka’s Side?
The roar of the Melbourne crowd is still echoing, and already the 2025 Australian open narrative is taking shape. While Aryna Sabalenka rightfully sits atop the pre-tournament favorites list, a powerful counter-narrative is emerging: the unwavering rise of Coco Gauff.
Gauff, embarking on the new season with a dazzling undefeated streak, exudes a calm confidence that belies her young age. Her performance at the recent Media Day was a masterclass in measured optimism, where she acknowledged both her strong form and the inherent volatility of elite competition. Gauff’s words, ”I know I’ve been playing well, but you can’t play well all the time,” demonstrated a mature understanding of the sport’s ebbs and flows.
This measured approach, she attributes to the steadfast support of her coaches, Matt and JC. Their emphasis on positive reinforcement, Gauff explains, has instilled a self-belief that translates directly onto the court: “When you feel that confidence, it makes a big difference.”
While a championship victory in Melbourne might still seem like a step too far, dismissing Gauff’s chances woudl be a grave mistake. Her current form, coupled with her increasing comfort on the biggest stage, makes her a distinct threat to disrupt Sabalenka’s projected dominance.
The early rounds will be crucial, gauging Gauff’s ability to navigate pressure and maintain her composure against perhaps dangerous opponents.If she can replicate the poise she displayed at Media Day, expect a thrilling ride. Gauff’s journey could very well be the story that captures the creativity of the Melbourne crowd and redefines the Australian Open narrative.
let the games begin.
