Coco Gauff keeps her focus steady as she sizes up her chances at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany, making it clear that world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka’s absence does little to change her mindset. Speaking ahead of her clay-court opener, the American star emphasized process over pressure, underlining that her belief in her ability remains constant regardless of who is in the draw.
Aryna Sabalenka’s Absence and Its Impact on Coco Gauff’s Stuttgart Outlook
The 22-year-old is coming off a demanding Sunshine Double stretch that tested both her physical and mental endurance. At the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Gauff was forced to retire during her third-round match against Alexandra Eala due to a nerve issue in her left arm.
While the setback raised immediate concerns, medical scans later showed no structural damage, allowing her to regroup in time for Miami. There, Gauff delivered a strong response, advancing to her first final at the tournament before falling to Sabalenka in a three-set match. With Sabalenka now withdrawn from the Stuttgart Open due to an unspecified injury, attention naturally shifted to whether the draw had opened up.
Gauff, however, was quick to dismiss that narrative. Asked directly in her pre-tournament press conference if Sabalenka’s absence improved her chances of lifting the trophy, she responded with measured confidence. “I mean, yeah, always have a chance, regardless of who’s in the draw, Aryna or whoever is in the draw,” Gauff said. “Always have a good chance to do well at any tournament.”
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Rather than framing Stuttgart as a title opportunity shaped by external factors, Gauff pointed to the broader context of her clay season. “It’s the first clay tournament of the year for me,” she noted, acknowledging that some competitors already have match play from the Billie Jean King Cup and recent events in Linz. “I’m not treating this as trying to win, I think it is just more so for the process to do well the next coming weeks,” she said.
What Is Gauff’s Approach As She Begins Her Clay-Court Season in Stuttgart?
Looking ahead, Gauff will be making her fifth appearance in the WTA 500 event in Stuttgart, where the second seed will face either Antonia Ruzic or Liudmila Samsonova in the second round. The American holds a dominant 3-0 lead in her head-to-head record against Samsonova.
The American’s track record at the Stuttgart Open shows clear progress on indoor clay. Following early-round exits in 2022 and 2023, she advanced to back-to-back quarterfinals in 2024 and 2025. In doubles, Gauff made an immediate impact by reaching the final on her 2022 debut with Zhang Shuai, where they finished runners-up to Desirae Krawczyk and Demi Schuurs.
