Coco Gauff’s Experience in Beijing
Coco Gauff, the reigning WTA champion of the China Open, recently shared her desire to fully explore the Forbidden City in Beijing. Unfortunately, her visit was cut short when her friend and fellow tennis star Carlos Alcaraz arrived late for their scheduled outing. Gauff, who triumphed at the 2024 tournament after defeating Karolina Muchova—her rival at the previous Cincinnati Open final—highlighted her brief experience at one of Beijing’s most iconic tourist attractions during a press conference.
Reflections on the Forbidden City
Reflecting on her time at the Forbidden City, Gauff expressed disappointment over the limited 25 minutes they spent there due to Alcaraz’s tardiness.
“I’d love to go back and fully immerse myself in it. My visit was cut short. I couldn’t explore much, but it was still a great experience,”
she said, emphasizing her eagerness to engage with the local culture. Gauff, who is actively interested in immersing herself in new cultures beyond her home country, reiterated how meaningful her experiences in China have been. However, the ongoing demands of media and sponsorship commitments may hinder her ability to revisit the site during her current stay.
Competitive Performance and Future Prospects
On the competitive front, Gauff has been recalibrating her performance after a series of inconsistent results stemming from her split with coach Brad Gilbert post-2024 US Open. Now working with Matt Daly, who initially showed promise in enhancing her game, Gauff secured a significant title at the WTA Finals just weeks after her China Open victory, suggesting potential for improvement.
However, with a recent setback in the US Open, where she exited in the round of 16—mirroring her previous year’s performance—Gauff seeks to reignite her momentum in Beijing. Her chances may have increased with Aryna Sabalenka’s withdrawal from the tournament, while Iga Swiatek stands as the top contender, capitalizing on her recent success after a thrilling victory at the Korea Open.
