Coco Gauff faced double trouble with back-to-back defeats in the Italian Open. However, ended up having a good time in the tournament by reaching the doubles final and singles semi-final. Despite these setbacks, the 20-year-old American’s accomplishments and tenacity on the tennis court were acknowledged by fellow player Danielle Collins, who praised Gauff’s outstanding efforts at the Italian Open 2024.

Even after having different personalities, the two Americans’ on-court performances in Rome, demonstrated how well their complementary and divisive styles complemented one another. Both Collins and Gauff lost in the semi-finals, to Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, respectively.

Danielle Collins cheers up for Coco Gauff after the Italian Open run

In the women’s doubles championship match, Gauff and her Australian partner Erin Routliffe took on the all-Italian team of Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani. However, in the end, both of them lost to the Italian duo. The third-ranked tennis player, though, used her Instagram account to reflect on her experience at the Italian Open following the match. With her doubles partner, she posted some stunning photos and commented, “Rome finalist & semi-finalist 🇮🇹❤️‍🩹 grazie!”

In response, the 30-year-old American, commented on the post, congratulating the young American on her great results in both singles and doubles at the same competition. Collins acknowledged Gauff’s remarkable run by saying, “On fire,” then adding a fire emoji.

After overcoming three unseeded opponents, World No. 3 Coco advanced to the Italian Open quarterfinals, where she met World No. 8 Zheng Qinwen. Gauff won the match with a commanding performance in the second set, following a close first one. But in the semifinals, she lost to eventual champion Iga Swiatek because she was too strong.

Subsequently, she still ended her Italian open campaign successfully by reaching the women’s doubles final, despite her defeat in the singles. Not only that, after her single exit in a press conference, she expressed her feelings towards the 12th-ranked tennis player while extending a supportive hand to her.

Gauff on her equation with Collins – ‘we’re very close’

During the press conference, Gauff expressed her admiration for Collins, a fellow countrywoman. She emphasized their shared affinity and admiration for one another as she described how the Miami Open champion is not just a remarkable tennis player but also an exceptional person.

She said, “We talk all the time. Danielle and I, I love her. Me and her got closer after the Billie Jean King Cup we did together. She’s just a great person, honestly. I love seeing her do well. I think if you ask her, she likes to see me do well. Tommy and Danielle are people I always root for, even though I wouldn’t necessarily say we’re very close.” Although, they have created a mutual bond during their time on tour, apart from that both of them never leaves an opportunity to support each other, while uplifting American tennis together.