The tennis calendar faces an unprecedented challenge as the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open transition into longer 12- and 14-day events respectively in 2025, expanding their draws from 56 to 96 players. This adjustment results in a significant overlap, with the Canadian Open finals scheduled on the same day as the Cincinnati Open’s first round, creating complications for competitors. Among those voicing concerns is world No. 2 Coco Gauff, who recently shared her thoughts on how the Canadian and Cincinnati tournament schedules might affect player participation and performance.
Coco Gauff Expresses Difficulty in Managing Overlapping Tournaments
Ahead of her opening match at Cincinnati, Gauff was asked about the new format that awards 1000 ranking points to winners at both events for men and women. The American player acknowledged the challenges by stating,
If it impacts, everybody is dealing with that impact,
—Coco Gauff, professional tennis player. She mentioned her own early exit in singles at Montreal but noted,
I didn’t do that well in Montreal, as far as singles, so I don’t feel tired or anything.
—Coco Gauff, professional tennis player.
Despite her singles loss to Canadian teen Victoria Mboko—who went on to win the title after defeating Naomi Osaka in a hard-fought final—Gauff found success in doubles, teaming with compatriot McCartney Kessler to overcome the No. 3 seeds Taylor Townsend and Shuai Zhang in a thrilling match decided 6-4, 1-6, 13-11. Gauff further expressed curiosity about how players who perform well in Montreal will fare in Cincinnati, given the scheduling overlap. She said,
I am curious how the players who did well in Montreal perform here just because it is overlapping tournaments.
—Coco Gauff, professional tennis player.
Looking to the future, Gauff revealed her uncertainty over participating in both tournaments next year despite plans to accommodate player needs. She emphasized the difficulty of the overlap, especially considering doubles play, stating,
Overlapping is just tough for all, even on the doubles aspect. Next year, even though I won Montreal, I am thinking should I play or not,
—Coco Gauff, professional tennis player. She also added,
I pushed really hard for that final to be on Wednesday and I am very grateful for the tournament to grant that, but that doesn’t mean that’s always gonna happen.
—Coco Gauff, professional tennis player.
In addition to scheduling, Gauff highlighted the adjustment required for the differing playing conditions, noting,
I know from the past that the conditions are very different,
—Coco Gauff, professional tennis player. This remark points to the physical and tactical challenges players face moving between venues and court surfaces within a short time frame.
A Look at Coco Gauff’s Form Throughout the 2025 Season
Coco Gauff’s 2025 season began on a high note at the United Cup, where she led the United States to a win over Poland, notably defeating Iga Świątek in straight sets during the final, finishing the event undefeated. At the Australian Open, she reached the quarterfinals before being eliminated by Paula Badosa. However, subsequent tournaments in Doha and Dubai saw earlier exits, though Gauff managed to reach the fourth round at Indian Wells and Miami.
Her performance improved on clay courts, making history as the youngest woman to reach the finals in Madrid, Rome, and Roland Garros all in the same year. Gauff reached the quarterfinals in Stuttgart, finished runner-up in Madrid after losing to Aryna Sabalenka, and again finished second in Rome, falling to Jasmine Paolini in the final. Her breakthrough came at the French Open, where she triumphed over Sabalenka in three tightly contested sets to claim her first Paris title and second major championship, becoming the first American woman to win at Roland Garros since Serena Williams in 2015.
However, her grass season was marked by a surprise first-round defeat at Wimbledon to Dayana Yastremska, before transitioning into the current hard-court segment of the North American tour, where the Cincinnati and Canadian Opens take place amidst this revised scheduling.
Implications of the Overlapping Tournament Schedule for Players and the Tour
The overlap between the Canadian and Cincinnati Opens presents logistical challenges for players, tournament organizers, and fans, as athletes must decide whether to participate in both events or prioritize one, considering rest, recovery, and ranking points. Coco Gauff’s comments reflect broader concerns within the tennis community about managing peak performance during overlapping high-stakes tournaments. This clash could influence player decisions and potentially impact tournament draws and competitiveness in future editions.
Moving forward, the tennis governing bodies and tournament directors may need to revisit scheduling arrangements or provide accommodations to mitigate these conflicts. Players like Gauff who have pushed for more player-centric scheduling demonstrate the importance of balancing competitive opportunity with practical demands, which could shape how calendar changes are approached in the coming years.