Coco Gauff expressed her support for Caty McNally after McNally triumphed over Tatjana Maria to win the WTA Challenger event in Newport. This win marks McNally’s second singles Challenger title, solidifying her standing on the tour.
At 23 years old, McNally showcased impressive skill throughout the WTA 125 tournament, following up her previous Challenger success in Midland in 2022 and a runner-up finish in Paris in 2023. Gauff, a French Open champion and McNally’s former doubles partner, took to Instagram to celebrate the achievement with a heartfelt post and several heart emojis.
Match Highlights from McNally’s Road to the Title
McNally began her campaign dominantly, defeating Darja Vidmanova 6-0, 6-2. She continued with a strong performance against eighth seed Mariam Bolkvadze, winning 6-0, 7-5. Facing the third seed Talia Gibson, McNally encountered her toughest challenge early but emerged victorious 6-3, 0-6, 6-2, demonstrating resilience.
In the semifinals against Elizabeth Mandlik, she lost the first set 1-6 but mounted a significant comeback to take the next two sets 7-5, 6-4. The final pitted her against the experienced Maria, where after dropping the first set 2-6, McNally rallied to win 6-4, 6-2 and claim the championship.
McNally’s Doubles Career and Partnership with Gauff
Caty McNally has earned a reputation as a formidable doubles player, reaching several Grand Slam finals and peaking at world No. 11 in doubles in April 2022. Her partnership with Coco Gauff, known affectionately as McCoco, began after turning professional in 2019 and quickly flourished on the WTA tour.
Together, they captured their first WTA doubles title at the Citi Open, followed by victories in Luxembourg and Parma. The duo also advanced to the women’s doubles final at the 2021 US Open but were narrowly defeated by Samantha Stosur and Zhang Shuai. Beyond Gauff, McNally has teamed successfully with Diane Parry, Hailey Baptiste, Anna Kalinskaya, and Asia Muhammad, winning titles in Mérida, St. Petersburg, Ostrava, and Cluj-Napoca.
Junior Successes and Continued Professional Growth
Caty McNally rose to prominence in juniors by claiming the girls’ doubles title at the 2018 French Open with Iga Swiatek, and later in the same year partnering with Gauff to win the US Open girls’ doubles. Her early accomplishments paved the way for a strong professional career highlighted by multiple WTA doubles trophy wins and high-profile finals appearances.
Despite setbacks in Grand Slam finals, including a US Open doubles runner-up result with Taylor Townsend in 2022, McNally’s steady improvements in both singles and doubles continue to establish her as a notable competitor on the circuit.
Looking Ahead for McNally and Gauff
McNally’s Newport victory not only boosts her ranking as World No. 135 in singles but also signals her growing confidence in singles competition. Coco Gauff’s public congratulations underscore the strong bond and respect shared between the former partners as both athletes advance their respective careers.
This WTA Challenger title may serve as a catalyst for McNally’s future endeavors, while fans anticipate possible reunions of the McCoco duo in doubles, continuing a partnership that has already given tennis enthusiasts memorable performances and close matches at major events.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Coco Gauff change her name?
A. Coco is just a nickname. The tennis player’s real name is Cori Gauff, named after her dad, Corey. In a 2021 interview with Sports Illustrated Kids, Gauff explained that the nickname was chosen to avoid confusion when people called their names. She mentioned that her aunt suggested, “Oh, we should just call her Coco.”
Q. Does Coco Gauff have a degree?
A. Congratulations to Coco Gauff for finishing high school! She earned her diploma from the Florida Department of Education. Gauff completed her studies through Florida Virtual Flex. While doing this, she also built a successful professional tennis career. Over the past four years, she managed both her schooling and tennis.
Q. Why do they call her Coco Gauff?
A. As Cori Gauff was growing up, her family began calling her “Coco.” This nickname was suggested by an aunt to prevent confusion since her first name sounds like her father’s. Gauff began playing tennis at the age of six.
Q. Who upset Coco Gauff?
A. In Wimbledon, England, Coco Gauff was knocked out in the first round after her French Open victory. She is the third woman in the Open era to face this situation. On Tuesday night, unseeded Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska defeated her 7-6 (3), 6-1.