Coco Gauff, currently ranked World No. 3, was eliminated from the Australian Open in the quarterfinals after a tough match against No. 12 Paula Badosa, who defeated her with a score of 7-5, 6-4. This loss marks Gauff’s first defeat of the 2025 season, as Badosa improved her head-to-head record against Gauff to 4-3.
Despite the setback, Gauff expressed confidence in her abilities and believes she is on track for a strong season ahead. After a disappointing performance in the Round of 16 during her US Open title defense last fall, Gauff made changes to her game by adding coach Matt Daley to her team. This change has proven beneficial, as evidenced by her victories in the WTA 1000 tournament in Beijing and the WTA Finals in Riyadh to close out 2024. She continued her impressive momentum into the new year, leading Team USA to its second title at the United Cup while remaining undefeated in singles matches, including a notable win against World No. 2 Iga Swiatek.
Reflecting on her match with Badosa, Gauff acknowledged the need for aggression in her game, which she has been focusing on in recent months. “I have to be aggressive,” she stated, emphasizing that this approach has secured her victories over the past few tournaments. Gauff understands that adjusting her playing style involves some expected losses along the way but remains optimistic about her progress.
At the beginning of the Australian Open, Gauff had a possibility of becoming World No. 1, but her chances diminished with Swiatek’s advancement in the tournament. The match against Badosa saw Gauff narrowly missing the first set before struggling with errors in the second, preventing her from launching a comeback.
Following her defeat, Gauff is focusing on her upcoming participation in the Hologic WTA Tour, particularly for back-to-back WTA 1000 events in the Middle East, with the Qatar Total Open set to begin on February 9.
Reflecting on her tournament experience, Gauff acknowledged a tough draw but remains proud of her readiness and ability to adapt during matches. “So there’s a lot of things to be proud of, a lot of things to look forward to,” she concluded.
Gauff’s positive outlook and dedication to continue improving her game indicate her potential for future success on the WTA tour.