Coco Gauff Reveals Why She Nearly Missed Asian Swing After Winning Wuhan Open Title

SME News UK. WUHAN, China – Coco Gauff capped off a stunning run on the Asian swing with victory at the Wuhan Open, defeating fellow American Jessica Pegula 6-4, 7-5 in Sunday’s final. But the world No. 3 later revealed that she almost didn’t make the trip to Asia at all.Speaking after lifting the trophy, Gauff admitted that her coach, Jean-Christophe Faurel, had advised her to skip the Asian tournaments following a disappointing fourth-round exit at the US Open.> “It was a great Asian swing,” Gauff said with a smile. “I’m going to call JC [Jean-Christophe Faurel] out — he originally didn’t want me to come because I had a tough US Open. I had to prove him wrong. I’m a very stubborn person, so maybe he said that on purpose for me to have a good result here.”The two-time Grand Slam champion has indeed silenced any doubts, reaching the semi-finals of the Beijing Open before claiming the Wuhan crown — her second title of the 2025 season.The final marked the seventh career meeting between Gauff and Pegula, but it was their first clash in a championship match. Gauff praised her compatriot not only as a competitor but also as a friend who helped her feel welcome when she first joined the WTA Tour.> “I’d like to congratulate Jess on an incredible tournament,” Gauff said. “You’re the three-set queen, so I was determined not to let it go to a third today. When I came on tour, you were one of the first people to be nice to me and welcome me with open arms, and that really goes a long way. It’s an honour to share the court with you, and I hope this is the first of many finals we play.”The 21-year-old also expressed her gratitude to the Chinese fans for their enthusiastic support throughout the swing.> “The crowd here has been amazing,” Gauff added. “You guys have gone beyond expectations. I literally had to bring an extra suitcase because of all the gifts I received — thank you all so much!”Gauff’s victory in Wuhan solidifies her position among the elite heading into the season’s final stretch, highlighting both her resilience and her ability to rebound after setbacks. With her confidence soaring and her form peaking, Gauff has once again proven why she’s one of the brightest stars in world tennis.