Coco Gauff is heading into Beijing for the China Open with a title to defend but has risked a backlash with her comments ahead of the tournament. The world No. 3 referred to the ongoing tournament as a “pre-season” stop for herself during a press conference just ahead of the competition, a comment that could annoy its organisers given she is the defending title-holder and the event also offers 1,000 ranking points.

“Yeah, I guess the focus is really just building for next year and treating this part of the swing kind of as a pre-season almost, which I did that last year,” Gauff confessed. “Ended up being successful, so we’ll see. Although technically I’m the defending champion [in Beijing], it doesn’t feel like that at all.” Gauff is the current champion after defeating Karolina Muchova in straight sets during the final. Following one of her toughest losses to Naomi Osaka (3-6), (2-6) in the fourth round of this year’s US Open, she is framing Beijing less as a defence and more as preparation for 2026, having admitted she never felt worse after a loss.

Despite some criticism for her comments, Gauff was one of the first players on the court to practice for the event. Gauff’s season was a rollercoaster, with highs including her second career Slam at Roland Garros, where she triumphed over Madison Keys and Aryna Sabalenka to clinch the title in Paris.

However, she also experienced lows such as a first-round exit at Wimbledon, a defeat against Victoria Mboko in Toronto, and a disappointing performance at the US Open on Ashe after winning the event in 2023.

The 21-year-old’s serve let her down, with double faults accumulating at crucial moments, leading to her parting ways with long-time coach Matt Daly. Gavin MacMillan, who previously worked with world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, and J.C. Faurel have since been enlisted to help get her career back on track.

At the Australian Open, she made it to the quarter-finals but was ousted by Paula Badosa. In Madrid, she reached the semi-finals but was soundly defeated 6-1, 6-1 by Swiatek. In Rome, she battled past Zheng Qinwen before succumbing in the final to Jasmine Paolini.

Gauff lifted the French Open trophy after defeating Sabalenka in a gruelling final, but then Wimbledon saw her exit swiftly in the first round against Dayana Yastremska.

Her run in Cincinnati ended in the quarters, Toronto in the round of 16 and New York in the fourth round.

This year in Beijing, Gauff is seeded No. 2 behind Swiatek, just ahead of Amanda Anisimova, Mirra Andreeva, and Jessica Pegula. With Sabalenka choosing not to participate, the draw field has opened up even more.

Gauff has a first-round bye and will commence her campaign against either Lucia Bronzetti or Kamilla Rakhimova in the second round.