After capturing her second Grand Slam title at the French Open, Coco Gauff’s season hit an unexpected rough patch on grass. The American tennis star endured disappointing early exits at both the Berlin Open and Wimbledon, leaving fans questioning her readiness for the North American hard-court swing.
Now, with World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka withdrawing from the Canadian Open, Gauff finds herself as the tournament’s top seed and carrying the weight of expectations into Montreal.
How Will Coco Gauff Handle the Pressure as Montreal’s Top Seed?
Gauff has already arrived in Montreal and returned to the practice courts, days after enjoying a relaxing getaway in Florida with her boyfriend, Jalen Sera. The timing couldn’t be better for the American, who needed a mental reset after her grass-court struggles.
Her clay-court season showed her championship form, with runner-up finishes in Madrid and Rome leading to her French Open triumph. However, the transition to grass proved challenging. She played just one warm-up event at the Berlin Open, where she exited in the Round of 16, before suffering another surprising first-round defeat at Wimbledon.
Following that disappointing end to her grass-court campaign, Gauff chose to unwind before the hard-court season began. She took a low-key trip with Sera to an offbeat spot in Florida, posting stylish photos in nature and even sharing an unexpected encounter with an alligator.
Now refreshed and focused, Gauff has touched down in Montreal and returned to the practice courts. With Sabalenka’s withdrawal due to fatigue, Gauff enters the tournament as the top seed, a position that brings both opportunity and pressure.
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The draw won’t be easy for the American. A loaded field awaits her in Montreal, with World No. 3 Iga Świątek, two-time defending champion Jessica Pegula, rising star Mirra Andreeva, and a resurgent Amanda Anisimova all competing for the title. Each presents a different challenge as players fine-tune their games ahead of the US Open.
Can Gauff Bounce Back From Last Year’s Early Exit?
Last year’s Canadian Open didn’t go according to plan for Gauff, making this year’s tournament particularly significant. As the defending French Open champion and now the top seed, she carries different expectations into Montreal.
In 2024, Gauff began her campaign against China’s Wang Yafan, securing a comfortable 6-4, 6-2 victory that suggested smooth sailing ahead. However, her next match told a different story entirely.
Russia’s Diana Shnaider proved to be a formidable opponent, taking the first set 6-4 before raising her level dramatically in the second set. Shnaider dominated the final set, closing out the match with a commanding 6-1 victory that sent Gauff home earlier than expected.
This year presents a fresh opportunity for redemption. Despite her recent struggles on grass, Gauff brings a respectable 31-10 win-loss record into the tournament. More importantly, she carries the psychological advantage of being the top seed, a status that often provides the extra confidence needed during tight moments.
MORE: Coco Gauff Makes Her Feelings Known on Boyfriend Jalen Sera’s Trip to Florida To Be With Her
The tournament field remains unpredictable, with several key contenders missing and the title race appearing wide open. This uncertainty could work in Gauff’s favor, allowing her to build momentum without the pressure of facing a dominant World No. 1 in the later rounds.
