“One of the rare times I get dressed up,” Coco Gauff finds the funny side after being named as one of TIME’s Women of the Year

The American icon reaps the reward of winning the US Open last year after a splendid turnaround in the season.

“One of the rare times I get dressed up,” Coco Gauff finds the funny side after being named as one of TIME’s Women of the Year

Coco Gauff (via IMAGO)

World No. 3 Coco Gauff‘s fairytale of rise in tennis continues. The 19-year-old has carried her from the 2023 season and has been one of the most consistent players so far this season.

She went on a 10-match winning streak in Australia which was broken by World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka. The Belarusian beat her in the semi-finals of the 2024 Australian Open before going on to make a successful title defense.

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The teen then suffered a shocking exit at the WTA-1000 event in Doha last week losing to doubles specialist Katerina Siniakova. She however has bounced back well to now reach the quarter-finals at the ongoing WTA-1000 event in Dubai.

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Following her third-round win over Karolina Pliskova, the reigning US Open champ addressed her special recognition. Gauff has been named one of the 12 TIME’s Women of the Year. She is the only athlete to make the prestigious list this year.

Speaking about the honor, she thanked TIME while also revealing that she had already been informed of the decision last year. But with the official announcement left, she could not talk about it. The teen also showed off her personality as she made a funny comment on it. 

I knew about it last year. I wasn’t sure when they would announce it. It’s really cool to be on that list among other amazing women. Especially making it so young. I’m super grateful they chose me to do that. I’m going to the event in March.
Said Gauff.
I’m really excited for that. One of the rare times I get dressed up, not in this stuff. Thank you to TIME for choosing me.
Added the teen.

Coco Gauff ends Karolina Pliskova’s 11-match winning run

Coming into the third-round tie today, Gauff and Pliskova had different runs coming into the clash. Gauff was looking to return to winning ways after her shock defeat in Doha. Pliskova on the other hand was on a 11-match winning streak.

Coco Gauff and Karolina Pliskova
Coco Gauff and Karolina Pliskova (image via IMAGO)

After her loss in the first round of the Australian Open, the former World No. 1 secured the title in Cluj Napoca without dropping a single set. She carried the form in Doha as well where she defeated Naomi Osaka in the quarter-finals.

But she picked up an injury ahead of the semis and withdrew before her match against Iga Swiatek. The Pole would go on to win her third straight title at the event. Gauff also came under the firing line of Pliskova’s attack. She even had a heated moment with the chair umpire, a rare outburst for the teen.

The American however composed herself and fought her way to a 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 win. She now leads the Czech 2-1 in their head-to-head. Gauff will now take on Anna Kalinskaya in the quarter-finals.

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