Coco Gauff kicked off her 2025 season in style, leading Team USA to a second consecutive victory at the United Cup in Sydney alongside Taylor Fritz. The World No. 3 showcased her talent by becoming the youngest player since Daria Kasatkina in 2017 to win three straight matches against the Top 2 players in the WTA. Gauff is fiercely competitive, but she still brings a playful vibe.

In the final round, Gauff and her teammates, including Desirae Krawczyk, Rob Galloway, Michael Russell, and Denis Kudla, faced off against Poland in a fierce battle. Gauff set the tone with an electrifying 6-4, 6-4 win over World No. 2 Iga Swiatek, marking her second straight victory against the former top player. With this win, Gauff finished the tournament undefeated with a perfect 5-0 singles record, leading to celebrations that included popping champagne—despite being underage!

However, Gauff hilariously struggled to open the bottle at first. The United Cup’s official account shared the moment on Instagram, and Gauff later posted it to her story with a lighthearted caption: “First time popping a bottle lol #rookie.” While Gauff may need some practice with champagne, it certainly doesn’t overshadow her impressive achievements.

To recap, Gauff burst onto the scene in 2018, winning the doubles title in Washington, D.C., at just 15 years old. She followed that up by claiming her first WTA tour-level title at the Linz Open, becoming the youngest player to do so since Nicole Vaidisova in 2004. Her rise continued with a US Open title in 2023 and a WTA Finals victory in 2024 at age 20—making her the youngest champion since Maria Sharapova.

Now with her recent victory at the United Cup, it’s safe to say that she’s a player to watch out for this year. Having already defeated top competitors like Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka at the 2024 WTA Finals, Gauff is showcasing her extraordinary potential. As she heads into the Australian Open, expectations are soaring. But will she be able to take the top players down again?

Coco Gauff is set to pose a challenge for the top players

Coco Gauff had a challenging 2024 season with serving woes and surprising losses. After deciding to part ways with her former coach Brad Gilbert, Gauff teamed up with Matt Daly. This change has paid off, resulting in significant improvements in her serve and forehand. She capped off the previous season with impressive titles at the China Open and WTA Finals, setting the stage for a strong start to 2025 at the United Cup.

While Coco Gauff is on the rise, Swiatek has had her fair share of struggles since her French Open victory in June last year. The WTA recently handed the Polish star a one-month ban due to a positive doping test, which compounded her challenges on the court. As a result, she lost her World No. 1 ranking to Aryna Sabalenka after experiencing a dip in form.

Gauff has capitalized on the Pole’s difficulties by defeating her twice recently. Commentator Steve Weissman noted the shift in their rivalry: “Coco Gauff has totally changed the dynamic in her rivalry with Iga Swiatek. Coco is coming for the No. 1 ranking this year.”

In her interview after the United Cup final, Gauff addressed the crowd and showcased her confidence: “I have the belief that I’m one of the best players in the world, and when I play good tennis I’m hard to beat.” With this kind of momentum behind her, Gauff looks poised to make waves in the 2025 season. Do you think she will enter the Australian Open as one of the favorites? Let us know in the comments below.