American tennis sensation Coco Gauff has etched her name among the WTA’s all-time greats after a commanding 6-2, 6-3 win over Ann Li at the Madrid Masters. The 21-year-old, battling through a rollercoaster 2025 season marked by early exits at the Australian Open, Qatar Open, Dubai Championships, Indian Wells, Miami Open, and Stuttgart Open, has found renewed momentum in Spain.
Now into the Round of 16, Gauff faces Belinda Bencic next—but her latest triumph isn’t just about advancing. It’s about history.
Coco Gauff joins WTA’s young legends club
With her Madrid victory, Gauff achieved a milestone reserved for tennis royalty: she became just the fifth player aged 21 or younger to reach 25+ Round of 16 appearances at WTA 1000/Tier One events. This exclusive club includes icons like Maria Sharapova, Martina Hingis, Caroline Wozniacki, and Svetlana Kuznetsova—names synonymous with dominance in their teenage and early-20s primes.
Gauff’s journey to this feat began in 2021 at the Dubai Open, where she first cracked the Round of 16 before falling in the quarters. Fast-forward four years, and her consistency at elite tournaments—despite recent setbacks—highlights her rare blend of resilience and raw talent.
“I’ve been working on balancing aggression with margin,” Coco Gauff said post-match, reflecting on her tactical adjustments after a shaky three-set opener against Dayana Yastremska.
Gauff’s 2025 resurgence
This season tested Gauff’s mental fortitude. Early exits piled pressure on the US Open champion, with critics questioning her ability to reclaim peak form. Yet Madrid has been a turning point. Her straight-sets dismantling of Li showcased refined footwork, sharper serves, and a killer instinct absent in prior tournaments.
The stats tell the story: Gauff won 78% of first-serve points against Li and converted four of seven break opportunities. More telling? Her unforced errors dropped by 40% compared to her error-strewn loss in Stuttgart.
“I’m striving for perfection, but I’m learning to embrace the process,” Coco Gauff admitted ahead of the tournament—a nod to her evolving mindset.
What this feat means
Reaching 25+ Round of 16s before turning 22 isn’t just a number—it’s a testament to longevity in a sport where burnout and injuries derail many prodigies. Consider the company:
Martina Hingis: 30 appearances by age 21 (Grand Slam titles by 18).
Maria Sharapova: 28 appearances (Wimbledon champ at 17).
Caroline Wozniacki: 27 appearances (year-end No. 1 at 20).
Svetlana Kuznetsova: 25 appearances (US Open champ at 19).
Gauff’s inclusion here underscores her ability to compete at the highest level, even amid slumps. Her next challenge? Swiss veteran Belinda Bencic, who edged Beatriz Haddad Maia in a third-set tiebreak. Bencic’s crafty net play and experience will test Gauff’s newfound aggression.
While the Madrid milestone is monumental, Coco Gauff’s sights remain fixed on her first title of 2025. “You can turn it around any week,” she said, channeling a philosophy that’s fueled her comeback. Her recent tweaks—prioritizing controlled aggression over reckless power—signal maturity.
For fans, Gauff’s resurgence is a reminder: greatness isn’t linear. Even legends like Serena Williams faced mid-career slumps before roaring back. As the Madrid crowd rallies behind her, Gauff’s blend of humility and hunger suggests this milestone is just the start.