Coco Gauff’s 2025 season has been a story of highs and lows. After capturing the French Open crown earlier this year, the American star was expected to dominate the remainder of the calendar. Instead, she has faced a turbulent journey, marked by early exits, coaching changes, and mounting scrutiny over her serve. With the Asian swing approaching, fans and pundits alike are closely watching how the World No. 3 charts her next steps.
From Roland Garros triumph to summer setbacks
Gauff’s Roland Garros run raised expectations of another breakthrough season. However, her Wimbledon campaign ended in disappointment with a first-round loss. The struggles continued during the North American hard-court stretch, where she bowed out in the third round of the Canadian Open and suffered a quarter-final defeat at the Cincinnati Open.
Her US Open journey ended in the fourth round at the hands of Naomi Osaka, and the sight of Coco Gauff in tears during the tournament underscored the emotional weight of her struggles. The shift from a French Open champion to a player searching for answers has been stark.
Coaching change and serving concerns
Following her loss in Cincinnati, Gauff made a bold move by parting ways with coach Matt Daly, who had guided her to two of her biggest titles. In his place, she brought in biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan to address her persistent serving woes.
But as former doubles No.1 Rennae Stubbs noted on the CYA Podcast, progress would not come overnight:
“Coco’s not comfortable. She’s fighting demons. She’s fighting her serve. She’s fighting her forehand. Gavin’s come in to try and do his best to kind of correct some of the stuff, but that’s impossible to do in a week.”
Stubbs even suggested Coco Gauff take the rest of the year off to rebuild her game. Gauff, however, remains determined to continue competing.
What’s next on Coco Gauff’s 2025 schedule?
Despite calls to rest, Gauff confirmed after the US Open that she will keep playing this season, with plans for a training block ahead of the Asian swing. The 21-year-old will defend her title at the China Open in Beijing, beginning September 24, where she has 1,000 points to protect.
Next, she is likely to enter the Wuhan Open, another high-stakes event where she reached the semifinals last year. Beyond these, her schedule may be lighter, though she could still consider late entries into tournaments like the Japan Open, Pan Pacific Open, or Hong Kong Open.
Coco Gauff also has her eyes set on the WTA Finals in Riyadh. With Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek already qualified, Gauff is on the verge of booking her place. Strong results in Beijing and Wuhan would not only boost her confidence but also secure her standing in the year-end tournament, where she has 1,300 points to defend.