Quick Read
- Coco Gauff began her China Open title defense with a dominant 6-4, 6-0 win over Kamila Rakhimova.
- Gauff saved all eight break points she faced in the first set, showing remarkable mental strength.
- She is advocating for better financial support and welfare for all professional tennis players, not just the elite.
- A letter demanding a greater share of Grand Slam revenues was co-signed by most top-10 ATP and WTA players.
- Gauff’s next opponent is Leylah Fernandez, who won her first round match convincingly.
Gauff’s Title Defense Begins with Conviction
When Coco Gauff stepped onto the courts in Beijing for her China Open debut, the weight of expectation was unmistakable. Ranked World No. 3, the young American was not just defending a prestigious title but also a hefty cache of 1000 ranking points. The stakes? High. The pressure? Palpable. But Gauff, ever the competitor, transformed nerves into focus and delivered a performance that reminded everyone why she’s one of tennis’s brightest stars.
Facing Kamila Rakhimova, a rising Russian talent, Gauff’s first set was a gritty battle. She faced eight break points, her serve tested and her composure pushed. Yet, with the poise of a two-time Grand Slam champion, she clawed her way through, saving every one. “Super happy to be back here. I have great memories from last year. Hoping to make some more good memories here,” Gauff shared in her on-court interview, her smile betraying relief and determination. As the set wore on, Gauff’s higher ranking showed: she broke Rakhimova at a crucial moment, then held steady to take the set 6-4.
Clinical Second Set: Gauff’s Experience Shines
What followed was a masterclass in momentum. Rakhimova’s game unraveled in the second set, and Gauff seized every opportunity. Starting with a break to love, she never looked back. The American’s serve remained solid, her return game relentless. After a marathon game featuring five deuces and three break points saved by Rakhimova, Gauff finally secured her second break and accelerated towards the finish line. In just 44 minutes, she delivered a ‘bagel’—a 6-0 set that left no doubt about her form.
The statistics painted a clear picture. Gauff won 72% of her first serve points and saved all ten break points she faced—a testament to her mental fortitude. Rakhimova, by contrast, could only manage 38% on her first serve in the second set and faltered under pressure. The match lasted 1 hour and 43 minutes, but by the end, the gulf in class was apparent.
Beyond the Court: Advocating for Player Equity
But Gauff’s presence in Beijing wasn’t just about her own game. Off the court, she’s emerged as a vocal advocate for player welfare and equity in tennis. The ongoing dispute between players and Grand Slam organizers over financial support has reached a new stage. Earlier this week, a letter—co-signed by the majority of top-10 ATP and WTA players—was sent to the Grand Slam tournaments, demanding a higher share of tournament revenue and the creation of a welfare fund.
Represented by former WTA CEO Larry Scott, the players are pushing for more than just increased prize money. They want a council that gives athletes a real voice in decision-making. Gauff confirmed that while she couldn’t attend the latest meeting due to her practice schedule, she’s kept informed and engaged. “Overall, it’s been a long, long process with that. We have a player representative. I like to keep most of the for him because they did have a meeting this week,” Gauff told reporters after her win. She emphasized that the fight isn’t just for the sport’s elite. “The biggest message is not just to benefit us, it’s to benefit all the players.”
Prize money at Grand Slams has risen—the US Open increased its fund by 20% to $90 million in 2025—but when measured against total revenue, it still lags behind. Gauff, along with other stars like Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka, and Iga Swiatek, is urging organizers to recognize that the sport’s health depends on supporting players ranked well beyond the top 10.
The Road Ahead: Gauff’s Next Challenge and Broader Implications
Gauff’s next match promises fireworks: she faces Leylah Fernandez, World No. 25, who dispatched Maria Sakkari in her own opener with a ruthless 6-2, 6-0. Their head-to-head? Gauff leads 2-0, but Fernandez’s form sets the stage for a high-stakes showdown. As Gauff navigates the late-season tour, she’s treating this period almost like a pre-season—building for next year, analyzing every match for lessons and momentum. “At this point of the year it’s always just looking at how to get better for next year,” she said before the tournament began.
Her recent record speaks volumes: champion in Beijing and at the WTA Finals in 2024, semifinalist in Wuhan, and a 13-2 record in her last three major tournaments, amassing 2,700 ranking points. Yet, the sting of her US Open defeat to Naomi Osaka remains fresh—a reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift in tennis.
As Gauff continues her campaign in Beijing, her dual role as champion and change-maker has brought her even closer to fans and fellow players. The athlete who spoke of wanting to shop in Beijing’s malls after her match is the same one challenging tennis’s establishment, advocating for a fairer future.
Sources: TennisUpToDate, UbiTennis
Gauff’s success in Beijing is more than a story of athletic excellence—it’s a window into how today’s top players are leveraging their status to challenge tradition and champion collective progress. Her on-court poise and off-court advocacy signal a generational shift, where winning means more than trophies; it means raising the game for everyone.