“At my best tennis, is hard for her or anyone”: Coco Gauff brimming confidence before facing Iga Swiatek
WTA
Coco Gauff is preparing to face Iga Swiatek in the United Cup final in a key match for both teams’ hopes. The American will face her toughest rival, with a negative record of 2-11, although their most recent encounter ended in a win for the American.
Both players, however, come into the match full of confidence, being the only two players in the tournament with four singles wins in this edition, unlike their male counterparts, Taylor Fritz (3-1) and Hubert Hurkacz (2-2).
Gauff talks confidence before Swiatek showdown
Swiatek and Gauff will open the series of three matches to determine the champion this Sunday, January 5th. In the semifinals, the 2023 US Open champion defeated Karolina Muchova in straight sets (6-1, 6-4) and has not dropped a set in the tournament. In her post-match press conference, Gauff shared her thoughts on facing Iga Swiatek.
"Yeah, I'm feeling great. I felt like I was playing good today. Obviously, Iga is a tough opponent. I don't know. I haven't thought about it too much yet,” Gauff said. “But yeah, I think it's going to be a great level of tennis and super excited to go out there tomorrow and hopefully bring the Cup back home."
Despite the negative record, Gauff turned things around in their last match two months ago at the WTA Finals, where she claimed the win in straight sets. The American mentioned the key factor in securing that victory. "I think just confidence. I was very confident in Riyadh,” the world No. 3 added. “I think when I'm playing confident tennis, that's my best tennis. It makes it hard for her or anyone to really do anything. So tomorrow I'm just going to go out there and be confident.”
As for their hardcourt encounters, Swiatek leads 6-2, though they are tied 2-2 in their last four meetings. Once the No. 2 and No. 3 players finish their match, Taylor Fritz and Hubert Hurkacz will take to the court in search of the title. If, after the two matches, the teams are still tied, a mixed doubles match will be played for the title, with both set to play.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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mandoist12-11-2026 - Tell this to Andreeva!mandoist12-11-2026
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