Coco Gauff can finally exhale as she steps onto the courts at the US Open, a moment of calm amid a season that’s been nothing short of a whirlwind. The American tennis prodigy has weathered a storm of highs and lows, her resilience tested at every twist and turn. But as she prepares for her title defense at the year’s final Grand Slam, there’s a quiet strength and relief that seems to be settling in.

The early rounds offer Gauff a much-needed break from the relentless challenges she’s faced all year. First up is Varvara Gracheva, a player ranked far below Gauff at No. 66. The French player has only faced Gauff once, and it was a swift defeat. Gracheva’s track record on hard courts this year is shaky at best, with just 7 wins out of 17 matches. For Gauff, this match is more than just a formality—it’s a chance to find her rhythm and build confidence for the battles ahead.

If Gauff cruises past Gracheva, as expected, she’ll likely face Tatjana Maria in the second round. Maria, ranked 87th, is another familiar face who Gauff dispatched in straight sets last year in Auckland. The 37-year-old’s performance on hard courts this season has been less than stellar, with 11 losses in 20 matches. Should Gauff solve this puzzle, the third round could bring either Elina Svitolina or Anhelina Kalinina into her path.

Gauff has a solid track record against both potential opponents. She leads the head-to-head against Kalinina and has a balanced history with Svitolina. While Svitolina’s hard-court record this year is respectable with a 14:7 win-loss ratio, Kalinina has struggled, losing 11 of her 18 matches on the surface. But the real test for Gauff will begin in the fourth round, where the competition heats up, and the stakes grow higher.

For now, though, Gauff can savor the moment, a rare breath of fresh air in a season filled with tension. She’s not just playing for victory—she’s playing to prove to herself that she belongs, that she’s more than ready to conquer whatever challenges lie ahead. And as she steps onto the court, there’s a sense that this tournament might just be where everything comes together for her.

The American star might be playing against Emma Navarro in the fourth round of the tournament if both manage to surpass the initial challenges. This would be the first top 20 match that Gauff would be playing, with her compatriot ranked 13 in the WTA list. With a head-to-head tally of 1-1, Gauff might face some challenges especially due to her latest defeat against Navarro at Wimbledon, where the star player lost in straight sets 6-4, 6-3. The World No. 3 has also admitted the talent of her compatriot. 

Speaking ahead of her clash against Navarro at Wimbledon, Gauff said, “Just growing up with her, I always knew she was very talented and knew her game would translate well on tour.” Continuing further, she expressed her happiness about playing against her. “I think she has a very all-court game. Playing her is going to be a tough match.” Her latest tournament is once again expected to be tough if both the players meet on tour. However, Gauff is determined to give her best as she gears up to defend her title. 

Coco Gauff has a ‘lot’ to look forward to at the US Open

Coco Gauff witnessed a season full of setbacks, especially on the hard courts this season. The star player lost early at the Canadian Open against Diana Shnaider. She once again faced a setback in her opening match at Cincinnati, where she faced a defeat against Yulia Putinsteva. But with the US Open around the corner, Gauff has a lot to catch up. 

After suffering a massive blow against Kazakh Gauff revealed her plans for the US Open. “I feel like I have to work on consistency, overall,” said Gauff. Remember, the star player dropped one spot to world number three after her defeat in the tournament. Continuing further in the interview with WTA Tour she said, “I’ll probably go home and try to reset.” But despite the recent failures, Gauff looks quite motivated for the Grand Slam.

“Obviously, I have a lot coming up soon with the US Open, so I think just trying to reset and be ready for that.” It would be interesting to see if her motivation is further fueled by the draw she has received. Can Gauff defend her title? Only time will tell!