Coco Gauff makes last-minute schedule change ahead of Australian Open as United Cup teammate details ‘no-brainer’ decision
Coco Gauff is all set for a new season. The World No. 3 will return to the court on Sunday to compete in the United Cup, as part of the US team that also includes the likes of Taylor Fritz, Robert Galloway and Danielle Collins. Gauff will kick off her new season at the United Cup in PerthGetty Playing at the tournament in Perth and Sydney marks a change from previous years and means Gauff will not be returning to her happy hunting ground to begin a new campaign. The 20-year-old has won the last two Australian Open tune-up tournaments in Auckland, but has chosen to skip the tournament this time around. Speaking to reporters, Gauff explained why she has decided to ‘mix it up’ at the United Cup event instead. “I love Auckland. I won twice there. It was a great tournament,” the 2023 US Open champion said. “For me, I wanted to play a higher level of competition and also a team competition. “I had a lot of fun with the Paris Olympics. The season’s already so much by ourselves that it’s nice to mix it up. “I think for all of us the main focus is Australian Open and doing well there.” The US begin their group campaign in the $10million event against Canada on December 29, before facing Croatia on December 31. Gauff and co will be hoping to reach the knockout stages, which the US failed to do last year. The final will be held on January 5 in Sydney, one week before the Australian Open begins. Fritz and Gauff will be hoping to lead the US to glory at the United CupGetty Gauff will aim to start strong after she ended her 2024 season as the WTA Finals championGetty While Gauff and Fritz are perhaps the two biggest American names competing at the United Cup, they will be joined by Collins, who has taken a decision to postpone her retirement. Collins, 31, was due to step away from tennis at the end of 2024 to start a family, but fertility issues related to endometriosis – which she was diagnosed with in 2021 – have forced her to rethink. The former Australian Open finalist will tour in 2025, and she described the decision to return as bittersweet. She has also said that participating at the United Cup was a ‘no-brainer’ following Team USA’s effort at the Paris Olympics. “After the Olympics, we just had to get the fam back together,” Collins said. “We had a good run there, had a great time with the same crew. It was a no-brainer after talking to everybody about coming back this year and kicking it off here in Perth.” Collins has postponed her retirement and will compete for the US alongside Gauff and FritzAFP While the US tennis stars were unable to win gold in Paris, they did secure silver and bronze medals in the men’s doubles. At the time, Gauff described living in the Olympic Village alongside the other athletes as ‘crazy’ and will no doubt be hoping for a similar atmosphere at the United Cup five months on. Having finished the 2024 season by winning the WTA Finals for the first time, she could be key to the US’ success in Australia.
Coco Gauff is all set for a new season.
The World No. 3 will return to the court on Sunday to compete in the United Cup, as part of the US team that also includes the likes of Taylor Fritz, Robert Galloway and Danielle Collins.
Playing at the tournament in Perth and Sydney marks a change from previous years and means Gauff will not be returning to her happy hunting ground to begin a new campaign.
The 20-year-old has won the last two Australian Open tune-up tournaments in Auckland, but has chosen to skip the tournament this time around.
Speaking to reporters, Gauff explained why she has decided to ‘mix it up’ at the United Cup event instead.
“I love Auckland. I won twice there. It was a great tournament,” the 2023 US Open champion said.
“For me, I wanted to play a higher level of competition and also a team competition.
“I had a lot of fun with the Paris Olympics. The season’s already so much by ourselves that it’s nice to mix it up.
“I think for all of us the main focus is Australian Open and doing well there.”
The US begin their group campaign in the $10million event against Canada on December 29, before facing Croatia on December 31.
Gauff and co will be hoping to reach the knockout stages, which the US failed to do last year.
The final will be held on January 5 in Sydney, one week before the Australian Open begins.
While Gauff and Fritz are perhaps the two biggest American names competing at the United Cup, they will be joined by Collins, who has taken a decision to postpone her retirement.
Collins, 31, was due to step away from tennis at the end of 2024 to start a family, but fertility issues related to endometriosis – which she was diagnosed with in 2021 – have forced her to rethink.
The former Australian Open finalist will tour in 2025, and she described the decision to return as bittersweet.
She has also said that participating at the United Cup was a ‘no-brainer’ following Team USA’s effort at the Paris Olympics.
“After the Olympics, we just had to get the fam back together,” Collins said.
“We had a good run there, had a great time with the same crew. It was a no-brainer after talking to everybody about coming back this year and kicking it off here in Perth.”
While the US tennis stars were unable to win gold in Paris, they did secure silver and bronze medals in the men’s doubles.
At the time, Gauff described living in the Olympic Village alongside the other athletes as ‘crazy’ and will no doubt be hoping for a similar atmosphere at the United Cup five months on.
Having finished the 2024 season by winning the WTA Finals for the first time, she could be key to the US’ success in Australia.
