Coco Gauff has done it again! After a season filled with ups and downs, the American tennis sensation has finally turned the tide in her favor. The struggles of the past months seem like a distant memory now, as Gauff is set to return from Beijing with a WTA 1000 title in hand. While the tennis world is buzzing about her undeniable skill and resilience, Gauff has everyone talking for another reason. Instead of the usual praise for her training or technique, she’s credited something unique for her victory.

The American sensation whisked out Karolina Muchova in the finals of the tournament in straight sets 6-3, 6-1 to clinch her second title of the season. Before this, Gauff won only one singles title this season and that was at the ASB Classic in January, a WTA 250 tournament. Interestingly, besides accrediting this success to her skills and her latest team shuffle, Gauff also attributed it to her visit to the Forbidden City along with Carlos Alcaraz. 

Speaking in the on-court interview, Gauff said, “Carlos and I both went to the Forbidden City earlier this week.” Continuing further, she recalled being asked about the connection between her visit and the possibility of a title win. “Someone in press asked me if it was gonna bring luck. I was like I don’t know I don’t want to jinx it. Then Carlos won. At that time it was only Round of 16 for me,” Gauff acknowledged that the visit might have brought her the much-needed luck. “But I guess the Imperial Palace brought us luck,” she added. In a video shared by the official X account of the China Open on September 29, Alcaraz and Gauff were seen enjoying the Forbidden City.

Coco Gauff was heard saying that it was the first time she visited the culturally rich city. She also lauded the vibrant experience she witnessed. “We are here at the Forbidden City, learning about the culture and I am here with Carlos. We have our traditional clothing on and we are super excited to be here,” Gauff said in the video. Interestingly, both Gauff and Carlos Alcaraz won the title at the venue. But one intriguing aspect of Gauff’s victory is also the latest shuffle in her coaching staff. 

Remember, Gauff ended ties with her former coach Brad Gilbert ahead of the China Open and joined forces with Matt Daly. She also expressed her desire to work on her serve game and claimed that it could give her a dominant form, which was very well witnessed at the China Open.

Besides clinching the title in Beijing, Gauff has also made some new records with her triumph at the WTA 1000 event. 

Coco Gauff etches her name on new records at the China Open

Coco Gauff did not just win against Muchova in the finals, but also depicted how winning sensationally looks like. She left the Czech star baffling and ended the entire match in just 77 minutes, taking the opening set in 31 minutes. She also created some new records which have never been seen in the open era. 

By winning her first title at the China Open, Gauff clinched her eighth career title. She also improved her record in tour finals to 8-1. She now has a 7-0 record in hard-court finals, a feat that has never been achieved in the Open Era. Gauff also became the youngest champion in Beijing in 14 years and the second American to win the title there, following Serena Williams’ title runs in 2004 and 2013.

For now, it will be interesting to see if Gauff continues her dominant run in the remaining tournaments of the season as well and win yet more sensationally going forward.