Tennis

Coco Gauff, the rising star of women's tennis, expressed her admiration and sadness upon hearing the retirement announcement of Rafael Nadal, the legendary 22-time Grand Slam champion.Nadal's decision to step away from professional tennis at the end of the season has sent shockwaves through the tennis world. Gauff, who has grown up watching Nadal dominate the sport, was particularly moved by the news."It's going to happen to everybody one day," Gauff said at the Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open. "Watching the video, (I was) a bit emotional because Rafa is all I've known growing up."Gauff recalled Nadal's consistent support and encouragement, even towards younger players like herself. "Off the court he was always speaking to me, always saying congratulations to me whenever I did well," she revealed. "It's something that is very rare when you come across top players (who do that)."Beyond his remarkable achievements on the court, Gauff emphasized Nadal's human qualities. "I remember at one point he said congratulations to me the year I went to the finals of the French Open," she said. "I kind of did a double take, because I couldn't believe he was speaking to me."Gauff also shared a memorable encounter with Nadal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. "We were both waiting on the shuttle. It was the last shuttle of the day, like 11 p.m. I asked him if I could have one of his pins. He gave me one. ...He was super nice with that," she recalled."Just something like that I'll remember. And something I'll definitely tell my kids, because it meant a lot to me."Nadal's retirement marks the end of an era in tennis. Gauff, like many others, will miss his presence on the court but will cherish the memories and lessons he has left behind.

Coco Gauff, the 20-year-old American tennis star, is currently competing in the Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open in China. However, her thoughts are with her home state of Florida, which has been devastated by Hurricane Milton.Gauff, who resides in South Florida, has been closely monitoring the news and expressing concern for those affected by the storm. "I'm thinking a lot about those in central and the west coast of Florida," she said. "I know it's supposed to hit hard, especially in the Tampa area."Hurricane Milton made landfall as a Category 3 storm, bringing with it high winds, tornadoes, and storm surge. It comes less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene also struck the region, leaving many Floridians reeling.Despite the distance, Gauff has been using her platform to urge her fellow Floridians to take shelter and stay safe. She has also shared information on social media about shelters, pet care, and resources for those with special needs."Floridians are pretty hurricane strong," Gauff acknowledged. "But I just pray there are no lives lost. Obviously I don't want anybody's home to be destroyed. At the end of the day it's property and can be replaceable."Gauff's concern for her home state is evident in her words and actions. She is a role model for young people everywhere, showing that even in the midst of personal success, it is important to remember those who are suffering.

Coco Gauff, the rising American tennis star, has embarked on a new chapter in her career with coach Matt Daly, and one of the key areas of focus has been experimenting with grip changes. Gauff revealed that she has been implementing these changes since their partnership began ahead of the China Open.Daly, a former world No. 2, has a reputation for expertise in grip modifications, having successfully implemented them with multiple top 100 ATP players. Gauff, eager to improve her serve, has embraced Daly's guidance in this area."He has a lot of expertise in that area," Gauff said. "Honestly, not just that. He does really good at tactical stuff, mental side, too."Gauff's desire for change stemmed from a successful 14-month stint with coach Brad Gilbert, during which she won four titles and her first major trophy at the US Open. However, struggles on serve emerged earlier this year and resurfaced at the US Open, where she committed 19 double faults in her fourth-round loss.With Daly, Gauff has prioritized stabilizing her serve, which has been evident in her recent performances. She won the Beijing title, her first since January, and has made a strong start in Wuhan, reaching the quarterfinals without dropping a set.While open to adjusting her natural grip, Gauff emphasized that she is not seeking to imitate any particular player. Instead, she aims to enhance her existing game."I know people who don't really play tennis think there's a right way to hold the racquet...but if you look at all the people playing on tour, we all hold the racquets differently," she said."Everybody has their own comfort zone. There's no right way to do it. You have to do what's comfortable."Gauff's next challenge will be against frequent practice partner Magda Linette in the quarterfinals of the Wuhan Open.

World number two Aryna Sabalenka believes her rivalry with top-ranked Iga Swiatek is crucial for the growth of women's tennis. The Belarusian advanced to the Wuhan Open third round by defeating Katerina Siniakova 6-4, 6-4, marking her 50th victory of the season.Swiatek is absent from the Wuhan field after splitting with her coach of three years, Tomasz Wiktorowski. Sabalenka has an opportunity to close the gap on the Polish world number one with a strong run in Wuhan, as the battle for the top spot is expected to come down to the wire at the season-ending championships in Riyadh next month."Having this rivalry with Iga is something big for tennis and something much-needed, I would say, in women's tennis," said Sabalenka, who will face Yulia Putintseva in the last 16. "To keep this competition going would be really good for tennis," she added.Sabalenka, 26, spent eight weeks at the summit of the rankings last season and aims to reclaim the world number one spot. "I hope she'll figure out the coach situation and she'll be back in the finals in her best shape," she said. "Hopefully we can play against each other there in... a fight for world number one."Coco Gauff followed up her China Open title in Beijing with a smooth 6-1, 6-2 win over Viktoriya Tomova. Gauff has a seven-match winning streak and faces 13th seed Marta Kostyuk in the last 16. Kostyuk received a walkover after her opponent Amanda Anisimova withdrew with a left hip injury."Both mentally and physically I'm a little tired, if I'm being honest," said Gauff. "But when I got on the court, I felt fine.""How I approached Beijing, I was like, I want to approach this how I would play tennis as a kid.""Sometimes I try to go back into that mindset and realise at the end of the day this is my dream now, and it was my dream as a kid."Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova crashed out to American qualifier and world number 102 Hailey Baptiste 6-3, 7-5 in just 94 minutes. Seventh seed Krejcikova let a 3-1 lead slip in the opening set, as well as a 5-3 advantage in the second.The 22-year-old Baptiste will next take on Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova for a place in the quarter-finals. Hometown hero Zheng Qinwen moved past Jaqueline Cristian 6-2, 6-4 to book a third-round meeting with Canadian left-hander Leylah Fernandez.The victory boosts Olympic champion Zheng's qualification chances for the WTA Finals in Riyadh as she tries to become the first Chinese player since Li Na in 2013 to reach the season-ending championships.

Tennis Fans in China Shower Players with Love and Unique GiftsAs the tennis season reaches the Asian swing, players are finding a much-needed energy boost at the Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open. The reason? The famously passionate sports fans in China.From the China Open in Beijing to the Wuhan Open, players have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of Chinese tennis lovers. They have been showered with unique gifts, including personalized plush toys, elaborate banners, and dedicated fan art. Even Western players have been delighted by the outpouring of support."Honestly, it's the place I've come [where] I've gotten the most gifts," said 2023 US Open champion Coco Gauff. "You'll get bracelets from some fans in the U.S., but here, you can tell they really take time to give you the gifts and see what you like."For two-time Wuhan champion Aryna Sabalenka, who has been dubbed an "old friend" of Wuhan by Chinese media, the gifts often have a tiger theme. Sabalenka has a tiger tattoo on her forearm, a nod to her fighting spirit and the fact that she was born in the Year of the Tiger on the Chinese Zodiac."My favorite [gift] so far is the tiger hat. It's so funny and so cool. I kept it. It's in my bag," said Sabalenka. "I also have a big fan who brought me a huge bucket with a lot of little gifts, including gifts for my team."But what do players do with all these gifts? Traveling week in and week out with loads of luggage, gear, and trophies, it's a logistical challenge to accommodate extra pounds of keepsakes.While it's not always possible to hang onto every gift, many players are eager to keep as many as they can. Keychains with stuffed animals become permanent accessories on racquet bags, and the bulkiest items may get shipped home."Last week in Beijing, I received a huge panda. It weighs around two kilos!" said Mirra Andreeva. "I'm going to take it home, of course. I received a lot of gifts. I don't mind! I like that."In addition to gifts, players are also met with an abundance of autograph seekers. National hero Zheng Qinwen, a native of Wuhan, is by far the most popular target. Her countrywomen like Yuan Yue and Wang Xinyu are also riding the wave of the post-Olympics boom in tennis interest in China.The autograph requests range from action shots and fan art to more unusual items."I signed one of my wedding pictures, which was a little strange," recalled No. 2 seed Jessica Pegula. "There was also a woman who had pictures of her helping us pick up balls printed out, and I signed those."These interactions provide a much-needed boost for players who are nearing the end of the season. With season-ending events like WTA Finals Riyadh and the Billie Jean King Cup approaching, the enthusiasm of Chinese fans is a welcome change of pace from the more demure crowds at tournaments like Wimbledon or Indian Wells."After my final in Beijing, there was a lady who was saying, 'I love you, I love you,' over and over," said Gauff. "The security guards were laughing. I was laughing too because of how enthusiastic she was! The fans have been very passionate."

Coco Gauff, the rising American tennis star, has found inspiration in the words of WNBA legend A'ja Wilson to navigate the ups and downs of her 2024 season.After winning her second WTA 1000 title in Beijing, Gauff reflected on the challenges she faced this year, including a dip in her world ranking and the end of her coaching partnership with Brad Gilbert. However, she refused to label her season as a disappointment, citing her Grand Slam semifinal appearances and doubles triumph at Roland Garros.Gauff drew inspiration from Wilson, the three-time WNBA MVP who led the Las Vegas Aces to back-to-back championships. Despite their quest for a three-peat falling short, Wilson emphasized the difficulty of maintaining a winning streak."People don't realize people have great moments in sports and bad moments. It doesn't mean anything," Gauff said. "You need to go through losses to realize what you need to do to evolve."Gauff's resilience was evident in her Wuhan Open debut, where she overcame fatigue to defeat Viktoriya Tomova in straight sets. She attributed her success to her love of competition and the absence of pressure."I have zero expectations this week, so it's kind of one of those rare opportunities where there's no pressure," Gauff said. "Every match you're just happy to get through, honestly."Gauff's positive mindset and ability to learn from setbacks have been key to her success. She recognizes that even the best athletes experience periods of adversity, and that these challenges can ultimately lead to growth and improvement.

Coco Gauff, the rising star of American tennis, has added another title to her impressive resume with a dominant victory at the China Open. The 20-year-old defeated Karolina Muchova 6-1, 6-3 in the final, becoming the youngest China Open champion in 14 years.Gauff's triumph in Beijing marks her eighth career title and extends her remarkable record in tour finals to 8-1. She has now won all seven of her hard-court finals, a feat unmatched in the Open Era.The American's dominance was evident from the outset as she raced through the opening set in just 31 minutes. She dropped only five points on her first serve, hit 24 winners, and broke Muchova five times.Gauff's momentum continued in the second set, as she broke Muchova's serve twice more to secure the victory. Her impressive performance has boosted her chances of qualifying for the WTA Finals, featuring the top eight players, for the third consecutive year.With her title in Beijing, Gauff has overtaken Jessica Pegula to take the No. 5 spot in the WTA rankings ahead of the final WTA 1000 tournament of the season, the Wuhan Open.In the men's draw, top-ranked Jannik Sinner overcame a one-set deficit to rally to a 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-2 win against Tomas Martin Etcheverry at the Shanghai Masters.Sinner, who won his 250th career match the previous night, faced a stern test against the No. 37-ranked Argentine. However, the Italian found his range in the second set and broke Etcheverry twice in the third to advance.Fifth-ranked Daniil Medvedev also came from behind for a 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 victory against Matteo Arnaldi to book his fourth-round berth against either No. 12-ranked Stefanos Tsitsipas or Alexandre Muller.Second-ranked Carlos Alcaraz, who won the China Open on Wednesday, defeated Chinese player Wu Yibing 7-6 (5), 6-3.

Coco Gauff's remarkable dominance in tour-level finals continues to astound the tennis world. The American prodigy has extended her impressive record to 8-1, showcasing her unwavering determination and exceptional talent.Gauff's path to the China Open title in Beijing was not without its challenges. She faced adversity in her last three rounds, including a thrilling comeback victory over Paula Badosa in the semifinals. However, when the stakes were highest, Gauff rose to the occasion, dispatching former Top 10 player Karolina Muchova in the final with ease, 6-1, 6-3.Gauff's dominance in finals is evident in her statistics. She has won her last six finals in a row since her only career loss in a final to Iga Swiatek at Roland Garros in 2022. In her latest triumph in Beijing, Gauff hit three times as many winners as unforced errors and finished with nearly twice as many points as Muchova.Gauff's impressive record in finals extends beyond her recent success. She boasts the best career winning percentage in finals of any woman in the Top 10, with a minimum of two finals played. Her 88.9% winning percentage is a testament to her ability to perform under pressure and deliver when it matters most.Gauff's dominance is not limited to the Top 10. She also holds the best career winning percentage in finals of any woman in the Top 100, with a minimum of five finals played. Her 4-0 record in finals is a testament to her consistency and ability to rise to the occasion against players of all levels.Gauff's success in finals is a reflection of her exceptional talent, unwavering determination, and ability to perform under pressure. As she continues to climb the ranks of women's tennis, it is clear that she is a force to be reckoned with and a future star of the sport.

The Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open, the second leg of the Asian Swing's back-to-back WTA 1000 events, promises an explosive start on Monday. The draw features a blend of seasoned veterans and rising stars, setting the stage for thrilling encounters.Two-time champion Aryna Sabalenka, the top seed, is the heavy favorite. She will face either Katerina Siniakova or Alexandra Eala in the second round. American sensation Coco Gauff, the No. 4 seed, will make her Wuhan debut against Ashlyn Krueger or Viktoriya Tomova.Sabalenka and Gauff are on a potential semifinal collision course, with the American holding a 4-3 head-to-head advantage. However, Sabalenka recently defeated Gauff in the Australian Open semifinals.The top half of the draw also features Emma Navarro, Daria Kasatkina, and Marta Kostyuk. Navarro, a potential quarterfinal opponent for Sabalenka, has a history with Zheng Qinwen, the No. 5 seed. Zheng, a Wuhan native, will compete in her hometown event for the first time.Jessica Pegula, the No. 2 seed, anchors the bottom half of the draw. She will face the winner of Anastasia Potapova and Katie Volynets in the second round. Pegula's section includes Barbora Krejcikova and Paula Badosa, who defeated her in Beijing last week.The Wuhan Open marks a significant return for the tournament, which was last held in 2019. With a mix of experienced players and rising stars, the event promises to deliver captivating matches and unforgettable moments.