Coco Gauff lands cover of TIME Magazine after being named in Woman of the Year previously, reveals why she is playing for herself
WTA
Coco
Gauff graces the cover of TIME Magazine two months after being chosen as 'Woman
of the Year' two months ago. The 2023 US Open champion continues to capture
attention beyond the tennis courts, and Time highlights her significant
achievements so far.
The
American No. 1 is competing this week at the Madrid Open with a good chance of
reaching the world No. 2 ranking, the highest of her career. Gauff was
surprisingly eliminated in the quarterfinals of the WTA 500 Stuttgart Open by
Marta Kostyuk, but Aryna Sabalenka's inconsistent form has her on the verge of
achieving her best-ever ranking.
Coco Gauff: A superstar beyond the Tennis Courts
The
20-year-old has been making waves on the WTA Tour for several years. Gauff
burst onto the scene at Wimbledon at the age of 15, defeating Venus Williams in
her debut match and advancing to the fourth round, where she lost to eventual
champion Simona Halep. In 2022, she reached the final of the French Open but
was unable to clinch the title, falling to world No. 1 Iga Swiatek.
Coco Gauff won her first Grand Slam title at 2023 US Open. She defeatsAryna Sabalenka by 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.
However,
a year later, she made the definitive leap that placed her among the select
group of three or four world-class tennis players. Gauff secured her first WTA
1000 title and Grand Slam within just a month, catapulting to world No. 3 and
solidifying her status as one of the Tour's top players. 'I always knew I
wanted to try to win multiple Grand Slams. Sometimes people get unmotivated
after winning one. That hasn’t been a personal challenge for me,' she said.
The
American star emphasized the importance of growing up watching great athletes
who inspired her. In particular, Gauff highlighted the Williams sisters, Venus
and Serena, as her major inspirations. 'As a little girl, it was very important
to see representation and see myself in players, especially in the field where
it is predominantly white,' says Gauff. 'I don’t think I would have had the
belief I could do it if it wasn’t for them,' she added."
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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