Gauff triumphed at the China Open, before lifting the WTA finals trophy following an epic win over Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng.

Looking to build on that momentum, Gauff is ready to commence the new campaign and she chose to do so at the Untied Cup, an event she will compete in for the first time.

Coco Gauff explains why she chose to the play at the 2025 United Cup

Coco Gauff began the 2023 and 2024 seasons in Auckland, and won the title on both occasions.

But ahead of the 2025 campaign, the World number three opted for a different tournament in which to compete in ahead of the Australian Open. The United Cup is a team event which the United States won back in 2023.

Gauff is set to make her debut at the tournament and ahead of her first match she explained exactly why she chose to play the United Cup instead of going for a third successive title in New Zealand.

“I love Auckland. I won twice there – It was a great tournament. For me, I wanted to play a higher level of competition and also a team competition,” Gauff said.

“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 the Australian Open and doing well there.”

Who will Coco Gauff play first at the 2025 United Cup?

Gauff is part of a United States Untied Cup team that includes Taylor Fritz, Danielle Collins, Desirae Krawczyk and Denis Kudla.

They have been placed in Group A along with Canada and Croatia, and will commence their campaign against the Canadians on Sunday.

Gauff is scheduled to play Leylah Fernandez in singles and will compete in doubles with Fritz if he loses his singles tie against Felix Auger-Aliassime.

The 2023 US Open winner could also play Donna Vekic when they take on Croatia, the same player who knocked Gauff out of the women’s singles at the Paris Olympic Games.

Ahead of competing Gauff assessed the potential challenges that lie ahead. “Donna I played her at the Olympics this year and I lost,” Gauff told the The Tennis podcast.

“She is a very aggressive player, she has a great forehand and she can hit winners from any part of the court. I think that is going to be a tough match.

“Leylah I have never played her before but I have known her since I was like 11 years old. We were playing juniors together, so this will be our first time playing on the pro scale.

“I’m super excited for that. I think she is a super fast, athletic player and she’s a lefty, which is not common on tour at all. So both matches are very tough matches to start the year off but I am looking forward to them.”

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