Coco Gauff is back in Beijing with a serious tennis challenge ahead of her, but the American has also developed an unexpectedly playful side during her time in China. After beating Camila Osorio in her first match since the US Open, Gauff opened up about her growing Blind Box obsession — and admitted that one particular collectible can sometimes make her happier than winning a Grand Slam.
Gauff needed three sets to get past Osorio on Saturday, eventually winning 7-6, 4-6, 6-2 after a match in which she became visibly frustrated. The 22-year-old was playing her first match since reaching the US Open semifinals and said the priority was simply getting back into “match mode” ahead of the final push of the season.
The result sent Gauff into the third round of the China Open, where she will face one of the most intriguing young players in the tournament. Sixteen-year-old Sun Xinran, the world No. 1 junior and recently crowned US Open junior champion, beat Cristina Bucsa 6-4, 7-5 to earn the biggest match of her young career.
That matchup makes Gauff's own experience particularly relevant. She was only 15 when she broke through at Wimbledon in 2019, beating Venus Williams in her first Grand Slam main-draw match. Seven years later, she is a two-time Grand Slam champion and a 12-time WTA singles title winner, but she clearly has not forgotten what it was like to suddenly find herself under the spotlight.
Gauff's Blind Box obsession takes over Beijing
Gauff's Blind Box habit began in Cincinnati after someone gave her one and she decided to open it on TikTok. The videos received a strong response, and the gifts kept coming.
“Honestly it started in Cincinnati. Someone gifted me a Blind Box. I was like, ‘Let me just open it.’ It got a good response," Coco Gauff said at press conference. "People have been gifting me the Blind Boxes. I don't know, I just feel bad if I don't open it on TikTok."
The obsession reached another level when she pulled a SKULLPANDA figure, prompting a celebration that caught the attention of fans. When asked about celebrating more enthusiastically than after winning a Grand Slam, Gauff did not exactly deny it.
“Oh, my gosh, yes. I was really happy. Honestly, I think it's more exciting sometimes,” she said.
The Blind Boxes have also become a way for Gauff to connect with fans in China. One fan gave her a Blind Box along with a letter that moved the American enough to make her tear up while reading it in her room.
“It was just crazy 'cause I never thought, like, me from Florida would impact someone all the way here in China. I don't know, it's just the beauty of sport, the beauty of tennis, that we can connect across continents,” Gauff said.
Gauff now faces China's teenage sensation
The fun surrounding Gauff's Blind Boxes will give way to a very different challenge when she takes on Sun. The Chinese teenager has already defeated Eva Lys and 27th seed Bucsa in her first two WTA 1000-level matches, becoming the first player born in 2010 to win a completed match at that level.
The 2-time Grand Slam champion immediately recognized the significance of what Sun has achieved, but also understood the position she is now in.
“I think she is really promising. At 16, to be winning a junior slam, being able to compete on the biggest tournament probably so far of her career. I know she's going to play great tennis against me. I've been in that position,” Gauff said.
The American also offered advice based on her own experience of breaking through as a teenager, warning Sun that the expectations surrounding her will eventually change as she becomes more established on tour.
“I think the biggest advice when you're second year on tour, try not to keep those same expectations. She'll be 17 on her second year. Remember that you're 17 years old, you're going to fail, you're going to succeed,” Gauff said.
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For now, Gauff has her own immediate objectives in Beijing. She won the China Open in 2024 and has now won 23 of her 26 matches played in China, including Saturday's difficult return against Osorio.
She is also firmly inside the WTA Race top five and is now just a couple of wins away from securing her place at the WTA Finals. A victory over Sun would move Gauff another step closer to qualifying for the season-ending event for the fifth consecutive year.
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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