Whether it’s reigning on the hard courts or winning the hearts of her fans, Coco Gauff has both areas covered! The American talent seized the 2024 China Open title with both hands, defeating notable players like Clara Burel, Naomi Osaka, and Karolina Muchova along the way. Meanwhile, the cheers from her fans in Beijing grew louder, with supporters going the extra mile to show their admiration after the match—something Coco eagerly looks forward to. From youngsters to the elderly, her fanbase simply can’t get enough of her talent!

During a press conference, a reporter noted this wholesome exchange, saying, “Fans in China are known to be super passionate and super creative with the gifts they give players. Have you had any super memorable interactions or received anything cool either here or in Beijing?”

“The fans have been incredibly passionate,” she exclaimed, reminiscing about her encounters around the globe. “Honestly, in every place I’ve visited, I’ve received the most gifts here in China. While fans in the U.S. often give me bracelets, the creativity I see here is truly special. You can really feel the effort they put into their gifts, it’s like they know me personally! I’ve received so many stuffed animals—it’s clear they take the time to understand what I love.” And clearly these fans would like the 20-year-old to remember them with something that represents the nation, she added, “a lot of pandas. Yeah, I think that was a cool one.”

On October 6th, Coco Gauff made history as the first American since Serena Williams in 2013 to win the China Open. Her match against Karolina Muchova, which lasted just 77 minutes, highlighted her dominance on this surface. Gauff swiftly capitalized on her opponent’s 24 unforced errors, matching them with 24 winners of her own, and wrapped up the match in straight sets, winning 6-1, 6-3. Throughout, her Chinese fans showered her with cheers, celebrating her remarkable victory.

There was a humorous moment that she shared, “Also after my final, there was a lady, she was saying, I love you, I love you, over and over, like screaming. The security guards were laughing. I was laughing because of how enthusiastic she was.”

Known for her charismatic personality, she frequently engages with a younger audience on social media. However, one memorable encounter involved an elderly man who caught her attention during a match, “There was like an old man, I posted my story. He had my name, holding a pink sign with my name. It had hearts and stars and stuff. I just wasn’t expecting it. I’ve never had that from, like, an older fan before—usually young ones.”

“I remember him very clearly,” she said, recalling how she noticed him when she walked onto the court for her final in Beijing. After the match, she made a point to sign his sign, appreciating his enthusiasm, “I don’t know. It just meant a lot to me to see maybe someone a lot older supporting me and coming out with the sign. I don’t know. I think that was the most memorable.” she added.

At just 20 years old, Coco Gauff is already the youngest China Open champion in 14 years and has accumulated eight WTA titles. However, her age has led some critics to label her as “immature” or childish, particularly regarding her approach to competition.

Coco Gauff faces criticism with resilience

After her recent victory at the Wuhan Open against Viktoriya Tomova, Gauff addressed criticism regarding her youthful mindset. While she’s exploring a new coaching style with Matt Daly for the first time since splitting from her ex-coach Brad Gilbert after the US Open. One fan dismissed her achievements by calling her immature for her approach to larger tournaments. Hitting a nerve on Gauff, “For me it’s just like you’ll never satisfy anybody,”

“We ended up ending it on good terms. It wasn’t like a feud. The person thought I was immature. Honestly, I approach almost every tournament in the mindset of me as a kid. How I approached Beijing, I was like I want to approach this how I would play tennis as a kid. Sometimes as I’m becoming more of an adult, I think I realize or lose my inner child in a way. The world can be harsh,” Gauff added.

While the fan has since apologized for the comment, it’s undeniable that it would have deeply affected her—especially with so much already on her plate regarding her career. Although she appears rejuvenated and has enjoyed instant success with Daly, she has openly discussed the mental pressures that come with rapid success and the high expectations placed on young athletes.

As she continues to navigate these complexities, it’s crucial to recognize the importance of constructive feedback and support from fans. What’s your take on this situation? Let us know below!