“It’s not something that I’m like looking or checking every week to see how far I am from it,” Coco Gauff said back in February. The American No. 1 has her goals clear this season. Although she wants to grab the top spot in the WTA rankings, she is not spending too much time keeping track of it. Coco is rather focused on her performances on the court, leaving the rankings and the points to take care of themselves. The 21-year-old hasn’t been at her best this season by any stretch. After facing early exits down under and through the Middle East swing, she failed to shine in the Californian desert as well. In Miami though, the World No. 3 seems to be back on track, winning back-to-back matches. But while she looks to clinch her first WTA title of the season, the ultimate goal is even bigger!

Gauff sat down for a presser, on Saturday, after ousting formidable rival Maria Sakkari (6-4, 6-2) in the third round of the Miami Open. Facing the Greek pro for the second time this season, after emerging victorious more than a week ago in Indian Wells, Coco sealed the deal in straight sets again.

When asked to reflect on her performance, after a double bagel win in the second round against Sofia Kennin, she said, “It’s very rare to get 0-0 back to back. Very rare for it to happen in general. So I was just honestly trying to forget it. I didn’t want to, like, think about it because I’m like this is a one-every-couple-years type occurrence. I was just trying to put that match in the past and focus on today.”

Later, Coco was asked an intriguing question about her future goals: No.1 ranking or another Grand Slam? So what did she choose? “Another major,” the 2023 US Open champion was quick to answer. But why not the top spot? Explaining her point, Coco further added, “I’ve always said… I don’t know, I feel like people remember you more off majors than the world No. 1 ranking. Obviously, if you could have both, that’s great.”

The American continued, “I think for me in my personal, especially with only having one, I would like to have another. Now, if I had like four and I hadn’t reached No. 1, then that maybe would be a different story. But only having one, I would like to have another one just to cement myself even more.” But do you know which Slam Coco Gauff is eager to win next?

Coco Gauff eyeing her first French Open title in 2025

More than a week ago, Coco Gauff turned 21 and on the eve of her birthday, she had an interaction with Roland Garros’ team. While revealing her goals for the season, she made it clear that winning more major trophies is her top priority. And the French Open is her top preference to begin with. Any special reason for that?

Gauff hasn’t been able to capitalize on her chances on the Parisian clay court ever since she turned pro. Before winning the US Open in 2023, she had a golden opportunity to clinch her maiden Slam at the Roland Garros. Back in 2022, she reached the final but former World No.1 Iga Swiatek denied her the milestone.

“I think that Iga was just too good today. It’s one of those matches that, yes, I, in some moments, could have played better. But she really didn’t give me anything. Every time I thought I hit a good ball, it wasn’t,” she said back then. “There is a reason why she’s on a winning streak. I’m just glad that I really tried my best today.”

But it wasn’t the only heartbreak Gauff suffered at Roland Garros, especially against Swiatek. They met again in the 2023 edition. This time, the Pole ousted the American sensation in the QF round before defending her title in the final against Karolina Muchova. Then last season, too, Swiatek shattered Gauff’s dreams to lift the French Open title again. In the SF, she eliminated the American with a score line of 6-2, 6-4, before going on to win her third straight trophy in Paris (fourth overall).

Ahead of this season’s French Open, Gauff is well aware if she wants to win her next Slam in Paris, she will have to overcome Swiatek – no matter what. In this month’s interview with Roland Garros, dated March 12, she emphasized, “I do think I am a good player on clay. And I know that if I want to win that tournament, I have to probably beat her, most likely.”

Reflecting on her equation with Iga at the French Open, Coco further added, “She’s an unbelievable talent, on any surface, but especially on clay. I feel like I have a lot of unfinished business there. And yeah, she’s definitely the number one person to beat when it comes to playing at Roland-Garros.”

Do you think Gauff will finally end Swiatek’s reign on the French clay court in 2025 and win her second Slam? Let us know in the comments below.