"Filming a TikTok might take about 30 seconds" - No correlation between social media usage and poor form as Gauff slams critics

In recent times, Coco Gauff has shown her class on the big stage. Her recent form has placed her among the favourites to challenge for the China Open title, an event she reached the last-four of last year. Despite her promising set of results as of late, her expectations are still surprisingly low.

After a breakthrough semi-final run at Wimbledon, the American No.2 matched that result in Montreal before winning the Cincinnati Open title against fellow countrywoman Jessica Pegula. That form continued to Flushing Meadows, where she reached the semi-finals of the US Open for the first time since winning the title in 2023. This time around, World No.1 Elena Rybakina proved too strong for her.

After a brief period away from the court, Gauff is raring to go to the Chinese capital as she spoke to the media ahead of the tournament getting underway. "I am very excited to be back here," she began. "Honestly, I have no expectations this week. I don't know why I always play well in this tournament, but I always come here without expecting anything. Maybe that's why I've done so well. But I am very happy to be back here."

Gauff is already looking towards 2027 with huge aspirations on her mind. The 22-year-old has outlined what needs to improve in her game to take that next step in the sport.

"I want to take a bit more risk with my shots, try to be a bit more aggressive. I also want to improve my first serve percentage. I win a lot of points when my first serve goes in, so I'm trying to increase that number and hit more first serves. Yes, those are the main things. Without revealing too much, that’s all I can say."

A huge weight has been lifted off her shoulders following the end of the major tournaments in this calendar year. "Now that the Grand Slams are over, I feel a lot of pressure has lifted. As I said, I'm trying to treat these tournaments more like a preparation month for next year."

According to Gauff, that could be a reason why she performs well at the end of campaigns. "I think that's one of the reasons why I might play well at this time of the season: because I'm a bit more relaxed. Being in China also helps a lot. I get a lot of support here. They give me many gifts. I think that makes everything a bit lighter. The key is that the Grand Slams are over, and now there is much less chaos."

When looking at her results, it is hard to disagree with. Gauff has reached the semi-final stage in all three China Open campaigns she has participated in, winning the 2024 edition. After this WTA 1000 event, the Wuhan Open follows straight after. Gauff is the reigning champion, having lost at the last-four stage in 2024, only boosting her figures in China.

Social media is a prominent activity in many people's lives. That includes loads of sports professionals with tennis boasting a huge opportunity. Some of the best players in the world regularly posting videos and comments on their platforms.

With that comes the grief and criticism from certain critics. When a player is in a bad vein of form, the usual dosage to cure these negative results is to stop focusing on social media over tennis. Gauff firmly slammed this idea shut.

"There is no correlation," she confirmed. "It’s funny. A typical training day for me at home is about five hours: two and a half hours on the court in the morning, an hour and a half in the afternoon, and another hour and a half in the gym. And that doesn’t include warm-up and recovery. Filming a TikTok might take about 30 seconds. So there definitely is no correlation."

It is another way to show off a different side of them from a personal perspective. "Tennis may not be used to seeing other personalities. And I think that’s a good thing. It allows us to connect with the fans. They like it, and I like it too. It gives me the opportunity to show another side of myself. I don’t know. I think if I weren’t playing tennis, I would still be on social media."

There have been three different Grand Slam champions in 2026. Two of which were sealed by Rybakina at the Australian Open and US Open with wins over Aryna Sabalenka. Gauff is not too stunned by this.

"I don’t think there’s a theory. I feel like Elena has always been a top-level player. I think she just had some issues with injuries and maybe consistency. Obviously, she was also going through her own situations. Now it seems everything has come together. So I’m not surprised at all that she has won two Grand Slams this year."

Added to that, there has been a brace of maiden major champions in the form of Mirra Andreeva and Linda Noskova. The argument there is that women's tennis boasts so much depth and talent that it makes every tournament eratic and uncertain.

"Women’s tennis has been a bit unpredictable in recent years," Gauff noted. "I wouldn’t say surprising, but it can seem that way to fans. In men’s tennis, there’s much more consistency, so for some people, what we have might seem more unexpected. But among the players, it’s not a surprise. We train and compete against them. No one is surprised that Mirra has won. No one is surprised that Linda has won. I think that happens with many players in the Top 10."

Gauff has been unable to add another Grand Slam title to her collection. She is not the only one. Aryna Salabenka and Iga Swiatek also have not clinched silverware at the highest level of the sport this time around. A big part of that has been due to the mesmeric form Rybakina has played herself into.

"In the end, it all depends on who is able to seize opportunities when they arise. I think Elena is a player who will keep winning for a long time because of the weapons she has. I’m not surprised. I don’t have any theory. I think when you reach a certain age, things start to fall into place. You start to play better and become more consistent. That’s what’s happening to her right now: she’s at her best. I think she will win many more titles. I hope I don’t lose to her in more semifinals, because it has already been two in a row, but maybe next time it will go my way."