The tennis world is buzzing about a scheduling controversy that has players scrambling to adjust their strategies. The Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open expanded to 12 and 14-day events respectively in 2025, with both draws increasing from 56 to 96 players.
More importantly, the tournaments are overlapping, with the Canadian Open finals coinciding with the first round of the Cincinnati Open, which has frustrated many players. World No. 2 Coco Gauff recently weighed in on the controversy, offering insights that reveal just how complicated this new format has become.
What Does Coco Gauff Think About the Overlapping Cincinnati and Canadian Opens?
Speaking with the press ahead of her first match in Cincinnati, Gauff was asked about the new format of the Canadian and Cincinnati Opens, which each carry 1000 points for both ladies and gentlemen.
“If it impacts, everybody is dealing with that impact,” the American said. “I didn’t do that well in Montreal, as far as singles, so I don’t feel tired or anything.”
Gauff was upset in the third round of Montreal by Canadian teen sensation Victoria Mboko, who went on to claim the title with a gritty win over a resurgent Naomi Osaka in the final. However, she partnered fellow American McCartney Kessler in the doubles and impressively beat No. 3 seeds Taylor Townsend and Shuai Zhang 6-4, 1-6, 13-11 in the final.
The 21-year-old continued, “I am curious how the players who did well in Montreal perform here just because it is overlapping tournaments.”
“Overlapping is just tough for all, even on the doubles aspect. Next year, even though I won Montreal, I am thinking should I play or not,” she said, adding, “I pushed really hard for that final to be on Wednesday and I am very grateful for the tournament to grant that, but that doesn’t mean that’s always gonna happen.”
Beyond the scheduling challenges, Gauff has also suggested that players might have trouble adjusting to the conditions in Cincinnati after having played in Canada.
“I know from the past that the conditions are very different,” said Gauff.
How Has Coco Gauff Performed During the 2025 Tennis Season?
Gauff opened the year at the United Cup, leading the United States to victory over Poland and defeating Iga Świątek in straight sets in the final. Gauff finished the event undefeated. At the Australian Open, she reached the quarterfinals before falling to Paula Badosa.
A challenging period followed, with early exits in Doha and Dubai, and fourth-round runs at both Indian Wells and Miami. On clay, however, Gauff regained her form, reaching the quarterfinals in Stuttgart, the final in Madrid, losing to Aryna Sabalenka, and the final in Rome, losing to Jasmine Paolini.
Notably, she made history as the youngest woman to reach the finals of Madrid, Rome, and Roland Garros in the same year.
At the French Open, the American defeated Sabalenka in three tight sets to claim her first Paris title and second major, becoming the first American women’s singles champion there since Serena Williams in 2015.
Her grass season began with a shock first-round exit at Wimbledon to Dayana Yastremska, setting up her current hard court campaign in North America.
