Coco Gauff is leaning into the adoration she’s receiving in Beijing. The defending China Open champion, currently ranked No. 3 in the world and the reigning French Open winner, has already picked up fan-made nicknames such as Fruit Salad Queen and Ambassador of Beijing. Now she’s inviting her Chinese supporters to choose a tougher, animal-themed moniker that matches her on-court intensity.
Coco Gauff’s Rising Popularity in Beijing
Gauff has praised the enthusiasm and creativity of the local crowd, noting that she arrived this year with extra luggage to handle the steady stream of gifts after struggling to pack everything on her previous visit. She says she keeps the presents, with many stuffed animals now decorating her home.
On court, Gauff advanced with a 6-4, 6-0 win over Kamilla Rakhimova in 1 hour, 43 minutes. She saved eight break points during a tight opening set before pulling away in the second, securing her 11th career main-draw victory in Beijing. Gauff described the match as a challenging return after a layoff, credited Rakhimova’s recent form, and said early nerves gave way once she found her rhythm.
Next up, Gauff faces 25th seed Leylah Fernandez in the third round. With her impressive performance and growing fan base, Coco Gauff is set to continue making waves in the world of tennis. As she embraces her popularity and engages with her supporters, fans are excited to see how she will further thrive in this tournament.