Liputan6.com, Jakarta Cori Dionne "Coco" Gauff, a professional tennis player from the United States, is once again in the spotlight on the global tennis stage.
At just 21 years old as of August 2025, Gauff defeating Donna Vekic, 7-6 (5), 6-2 in the US Open second round at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The match lasted 1 hour and 39 minutes and ended with the American star taking the headlines in New York.
As reported by the WTA, it came on a night when the former US Open champion struggled to find her best tennis, particularly during a tense opening set that left her visibly shaken.
“I was just trying to tell myself to breathe,” Gauff said after the match.
“I don’t remember a lot of the end of the first set, to be honest, but it’s kind of amazing that I was able to get out of that one. But once I was able to reset, I went to the bathroom and splashed some water on my face. After that I felt a lot better out here.”
Coco Gauff's Journey to the 2025 US Open
Despite committing seven double faults and being broken four times in the first set, Gauff broke Vekic twice while the Croatian was serving for the set, forcing a tiebreaker.
After her seventh double fault -- which occurred on the opening point of the tiebreaker -- Gauff managed to compose herself to secure the set, moments after wiping away tears after losing another service game.
Her change in demeanor was seen when she returned to the court after the break.
After struggling with her serve throughout the first set, she reduced her double faults and didn't break serve once in the second set.
Moments after securing the win, Gauff shed another tear, thanked the crowd for their support, and revealed a surprising second source of inspiration behind her resilience in the second set: Simone Biles.
With the victory, Gauff earned her 73rd Grand Slam match win.
Since 2000, only Maria Sharapova (85) has recorded more women’s singles Grand Slam victories before turning 22.
Coco Gauff: Future Tennis Star
Coco Gauff was born on March 13, 2004, in Delray Beach, Florida, United States.
At 1.75 meters tall, she possesses the ideal build for a professional tennis player.
Gauff is currently coached by Jean-Christophe Faurel and Matt Daly, while her father, Corey Gauff, also played a key role in her early career.
Coco Gauff's career-high singles ranking is world No. 2, achieved in June 2024, while in doubles she reached world No. 1 in August 2022.
In August 2025, Gauff reached world No. 3 in singles.
She has publicly cited Serena and Venus Williams as her tennis idols, who inspired her to reach the pinnacle of her career.
Coco Gauff's Brilliant Grand Slam Career
Coco Gauff began her professional career in 2018, and since then, she has continued to make history.
Her Grand Slam debut at Wimbledon in 2019 at the age of 15 was phenomenal, becoming the youngest player in the Open era to qualify for the main draw.
At the tournament, she surprisingly defeated her idol, Venus Williams, and reached the fourth round.
Coco Gauff won her first WTA singles title at the 2019 Linz Open, marking the beginning of her dominance on the professional circuit.
The pinnacle of her career came when she won the 2023 US Open, her first Grand Slam singles title, defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
This victory made her the first American teenager to win the US Open since Serena Williams in 1999.
Not only was Gauff successful in singles, but she also won her first Grand Slam doubles title at the 2024 French Open, partnering Kateřina Siniaková.
Other accomplishments include winning the 2023 Cincinnati Open, her first WTA 1000 title, and the 2024 WTA Finals.
She was also a finalist at the 2022 French Open (singles), a semifinalist at the 2024 Australian Open (singles), and a finalist at the 2021 US Open (doubles).
Gauff also represented the United States at the 2024 Paris Olympics, reaching the third round in singles and serving as the US flag bearer at the opening ceremony.