WTA Match of the Year, No. 5: Madison Keys topples Iga Swiatek in dramatic Australian Open semifinal

Coco Gauff’s 2025 was highlighted by a phenomenal clay court season, where she won 17 of her last 19 matches on the surface, reaching back-to-back finals in Madrid and Rome before going all the way to the second Grand Slam title of her career at Roland Garros. She was the first American player, male or female, to win on the terre battue in a decade.

And that wasn’t all—she also led Team USA to the United Cup title in January, won the third WTA 1000 title of her career in Wuhan in the fall, and even had time for another WTA 1000 triumph—in doubles—in Canada in the summer, alongside McCartney Kessler.

In the end, the 21-year-old finished the year at No. 3 for the third straight year, becoming the youngest woman to finish in the Top 3 for three straight years this century.—John Berkok

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Coco Gauff Championship Speech | 2025 Wuhan

What's to Come in 2026?

Coco Gauff finds herself in a familiar spot heading into a new season: sitting at world No. 3 behind Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, and once again turning to a late-season coaching addition to help unlock the next step in her game. Last year it was grip specialist Matt Daly; this year it’s biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan.

There’s plenty of reason for optimism. Gauff captured her second Grand Slam title at Roland Garros and spent nearly every week of 2025 anchored inside the Top 3. At just 21, she continues to show she’s an eager student, zeroing in on tightening up her serve and cutting down on double faults.

“I feel like I’m constantly trying to evolve and get better,” Gauff said. “It’s not anything against the coaches I worked with—I can still be at the top and want to get better.”

Now feels like the point where those adjustments need to sync up if she wants to chase down more major titles or make her first run at the world No. 1 ranking. At No. 3, she’s already within reach of Sabalenka and Swiatek.

So what would a strong 2026 look like? Staying inside the Top 4 and adding another Grand Slam singles trophy. And if she can turn the serve into a true weapon and build a steadier forehand, her ceiling only gets higher.—Stephanie Livaudais

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