Coco Gauff’s 2025 season hasn’t turned out as expected. After clinching the WTA Finals trophy last November and the United Cup for her country in early January, the 20-year-old was touted to dominate the tour this year. But she seems to have a mixed bag so far. After a quarterfinal defeat against Paula Badosa at the Australian Open, Gauff’s poor form continued in her next appearance as well at the Qatar Open. The 2023 US Open winner was ousted in the first match itself earlier this week. But her unending passion ensures she never gets demotivated.

For the uninitiated, Gauff’s recent appearance in Doha didn’t go as planned. While she did receive a Bye, ensuring her a direct entry in the second round, the American failed to utilize this golden opportunity. Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk comfortably beat her in straight sets with a score line of 6-2, 7-5. But Gauff’s never one to sit back and dwell on her disappointments. She made it quite clear with her statement following the setback in Melbourne. “I’m not crushed, but obviously it does feel bad when you feel like you’re playing great tennis for the better start of this year to lose, but it is what it is,” she said in a press conference after the QF loss.

And her spirits remain the same even after her loss in Doha. With a positive frame of mind, Coco is looking forward to her next destination in the Middle East swing – the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Gauff arrived at the venue a few days back following her exit in Doha. And without wasting time, she’s begun her intense practice sessions. It became evident from her Instagram story, dated February 15. Initially, she put up a brief clip from her night practice session. Then in the next story, the World No.3 shared the video of her hitting some solid forehands and backhands from the baseline. “So in love with this sport,” Gauff wrote.

Currently ranked No.3, one of Gauff’s goals this year is to reach the top of the world rankings.

Is Coco Gauff already focusing on the World No.1 position?

Ahead of her R32 encounter in Doha last week, Coco Gauff interacted with the media and shared her plans for 2025. When asked if she’s keen on becoming No.1 in WTA rankings, the 2024 AO semifinalist revealed, “I think just improving and seeing where it goes. For me, the points thing is just, first of all, too mathematical. I don’t know how people come up with all these different scenarios. Like it’s pretty impressive.”

While she didn’t exactly confess that she was keen to get to the No.1 spot, the American star mentioned, “I think I just focus on trying to win, and you know the ranking comes with it, so just trying to do my best to win, and obviously, the goal would be to be No. 1, that would be awesome, but it’s not something that I’m like looking or checking every week to see how far I am from it.”

Even some of the notable tennis figures believe Gauff can eventually hit the top position. Take for example Serena Williams’ childhood coach Rick Macci. Taking to X, last week, he praised the 20-year-old and wrote, “Coco has untapped potential and can get to number one and most of all stay there. If the second serve becomes an asset and forehand becomes her best shot.”

It will be intriguing to see whether Gauff will become No.1 this season. Speaking of her Dubai campaign, it’s not yet confirmed who she will face in the first round. Irrespective of that, she will be looking to improve her record at this event.

While she was ousted from the first round of the Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championships three years ago, Gauff managed to reach the semis in 2023. Last season, she reached the quarterfinal round before losing to Anna Kalinskaya. Can she dig deeper this year and clinch the title? What do you think?