Coco Gauff has chosen to skip the Citi Open in Washington, opting instead for an intensive training period as she prepares for the Canadian Open, which will mark the beginning of her North American hard-court season. The 21-year-old star made this decision to focus on preparation rather than competing at her home tournament.
Following an impressive run on the clay-court circuit, Gauff struggled on grass, exiting early in her two tournaments there. On clay, she showcased notable performances, reaching the finals of both the Madrid Open and the Italian Open before advancing to the French Open final, where she won her second singles Grand Slam title.
Gauff’s Recent Tournament Performances and Grass Court Challenges
During the clay season, Gauff lost in the finals of the Madrid Open to World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and finished runner-up at the Italian Open against Jasmine Paolini. However, she rebounded at the French Open, defeating Sabalenka in a tough three-set match to claim her second singles title at Roland Garros, adding to her 2024 doubles victory alongside Katerina Siniakova.
Her transition to grass courts proved difficult, experiencing early losses at both the Berlin Open and Wimbledon. She was defeated in the opening rounds by Wang Xinyu and Dayana Yastremska, respectively, marking an uncharacteristic downturn in her form.
Reasons Behind Sidestepping the Citi Open
Despite having sufficient time to rest before the Washington event, Gauff decided against participating in the WTA 500 tournament to dedicate herself to training. She explained in her pre-tournament press conference:
“Yeah, it was nice to actually have some time in between. That’s why I didn’t play D.C., because I wanted to just have a real training block, which I hadn’t had in a while, just because of how our schedule is.” —Coco Gauff, Professional Tennis Player
Her decision reflects a strategic approach to maintain peak physical and mental condition amid a busy season schedule. Gauff has previously found success in Washington, having claimed the Citi Open title in 2022 by defeating Maria Sakkari in the final.
Excitement Builds as Gauff Returns to Montreal for Canadian Open
Gauff expressed enthusiasm for returning to Montreal, noting the refreshing experience of a tournament that alternates location between Montreal and Toronto every year. She stated:
“Being back in Montreal is great, and it’s definitely refreshing. I like that they change it every other year just because it feels different each time. Yeah, I’m happy to be back here. I like this tournament a lot and would love to do great here one of these years.” —Coco Gauff, Professional Tennis Player
While Gauff has yet to reach the Canadian Open final, she has solid credentials in the North American hard-court swing, having captured the 2023 Cincinnati Masters by defeating Karolina Muchova. This experience places her among the tournament favorites heading into the event.
Gauff Highlights the Impact of the Williams Sisters on American Tennis
In her media interaction ahead of the Canadian Open, Gauff addressed the topic of tennis popularity in the United States. She credited Serena and Venus Williams for elevating the sport’s status nationwide, explaining how their legacy inspired many Americans to engage with tennis.
“Yeah, I think, well, I guess if we go like long-term effect, for sure, the Williams sisters and…making tennis feel like more of a popular sport for the people to play in the US.” —Coco Gauff, Professional Tennis Player
The current WTA rankings reinforce this growth, with five American players ranked within the top 11: Gauff herself, World No. 4 Jessica Pegula, No. 7 Amanda Anisimova, No. 8 Madison Keys, and No. 11 Emma Navarro. Serena Williams retired after the 2022 US Open, while Venus Williams remains active, recently competing in the Citi Open and preparing for the Cincinnati Masters via wild card entry.
Gauff’s Upcoming Matchup Against Danielle Collins
Gauff’s first-round opponent at the Canadian Open will be fellow American Danielle Collins, a player she has never faced before. Collins advanced to this stage by overcoming Viktoriya Tomova in her previous match. Collins has reached three finals last year, capturing titles at the Charleston Open and Miami Open but falling short at the Strasbourg Open.
Gauff’s strong form, including one title this season, sets the stage for a competitive opening clash against Collins, promising an exciting start to her campaign at a key tournament ahead of the US Open.
Gauff’s Strategic Focus and Anticipated Impact on the US Hard-Court Season
Skipping the Citi Open to concentrate on training reflects Gauff’s determination to remain among the top contenders as the hard-court season unfolds. Her recent successes on clay, combined with a drive to improve her grass-court performance, position her as a serious threat at the Canadian Open. Monitoring her progress there will offer insights into her preparation for the upcoming US Open, where she aims to solidify her status as one of the game’s leading stars.