The 2025 season is here. After an enthralling and action-packed 2024 season, fans have already set their sights on the next year. The first tournament of the new season, the United Cup is already up and running where top players will be seen in action. This warm-up tournament, in the lead-up to the Australian Open, offers a chance for the players to attain national glory. Coco Gauff is among the top players that will be seen in action in the 10-day event. As the American star looks to begin her campaign on a positive note, she received heartfelt messages from her fellow American players.

Team USA is set to begin its campaign tomorrow against Canada. Gauff will be leading her country’s charge in the multi-national event. Ahead of their opening match, she took to Instagram and shared a series of snaps with her teammates. While some pictures had the team pose with the American flag, others were captured during their off-court bonding session at a beach.

“Excited to get the chance to represent the stars and stripes once again tomorrow,” Gauff wrote in the caption as the American tennis world wished her luck ahead of her opening encounter. Gauff’s compatriot, Caroline Dolehide was excited to see Gauff lead the country’s charge in the tournament and commented, “Let’s gooo.” Further, doubles specialist, Desirae Krawczyk, who will also be seen in action tomorrow, was as excited as ever ahead of the start of the new season and wrote, “Rahhh,” on Gauff’s post.

Apart from Gauff, the American team boasts a strong lineup which also includes Taylor Fritz. Coco Gauff sounded confident about her country’s chances at the event, as she said, “From knowing Taylor, I feel that our approach is very similar, mindset-wise. I think the belief factor that I have, he has the same – that’s the biggest [similarity]. Some guys I see, they may believe in themselves, but I think Taylor [really] does. I think if things get pretty tense, I’ll definitely look to the bench for energy, and I’ll be right there cheering Taylor on [in the singles] when I can. I think I’m excited and looking forward to that.”

While Gauff will be playing in the United Cup, she has made a last-minute change to her schedule ahead of the Australian Open. She is set to miss a key event that she won earlier this year.

Coco Gauff set to skip the ASB Classic

With Gauff choosing to feature in the United Cup, she will skip the ASB Classic in Auckland ahead of the Australian Open. Last season, Gauff emerged victorious there but won’t return to defend her title. She has cited a key reason behind her last-minute scheduling change.

During an interview, she said, “I love Auckland. I won twice there. It was a great tournament. For me I wanted to play a higher level of competition and also a team competition. I had a lot of fun with the Paris Olympics. The season’s already so much by ourselves that it’s nice to mix it up. I think for all of us the main focus is Australian Open and doing well there.” 

With the top players set to feature in the United Cup, Gauff feels that the level of competition here will be greater than that in Auckland. As a result, it is an ideal warm-up platform for the Australian Open, according to Gauff. The American sensation would look to put her Paris Olympics disappointment behind her as she chases national glory at the United Cup. Do you think Gauff will be able to help America lift the United Cup title?