Coco Gauff Cheekily Calls Out Carlos Alcaraz After Cut-Short China Open Experience

“Congratulations @carlitosalcarazz amazing comeback!! We ran back Beijing,” Coco Gauff had cheered months ago after Carlos Alcaraz defended his French Open crown against Jannik Sinner, while she herself claimed the title on Parisian clay for the first time. Yet one might wonder, how did Beijing factor into Paris? The answer lies in last year’s China Open, where both stars won at the China Open. But tennis stories rarely stay confined to the court. In China, a land steeped in heritage, Coco now playfully teases Alcaraz for his off-court blunder at last year’s tournament, proving that rivalries, and humor, travel with them.

At the pre-match press conference ahead of this year’s China Open, Coco Gauff was asked about her remark that most of her memories from last year’s trip were “more off court.” With many people never having visited Beijing, the question focused on what had left such a strong impression on her. Coco smiled and reflected, “Well, the first thing was the Great Wall. I thought that was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen in person. Especially when you look at how long ago it was built. So that was really cool.”

She went on to share another highlight of her Beijing experience — her visit to the Forbidden City. Still smiling, she admitted, “The Forbidden City, I would like to do it again, the full experience. I only did it, like, 25 minutes with Carlos. He came late, so it got cut short. I didn’t do it that much.” Coco’s words conveyed both her playful jab at Carlos Alcaraz and her genuine curiosity to explore more of China’s rich heritage.

Coco also reflected on the cultural contrast she experienced. “I think the culture is really cool and very different from anything. Being from a country like the U.S., which is considered way younger than China,” she explained. She added, “I think visiting a country with so much history behind it is really cool, just learning about the different dynasties, how everything is kind of intertwined, which we don’t really have that in the U.S. because it is so much a melting pot, whereas here it’s not so. I think it’s really cool just to do a deep dive.”

Wrapping up her thoughts, Coco encouraged others to explore Beijing beyond the tennis courts. “I would say if you’re interested, really try duck here, it’s really good, and go to the Forbidden City and some of the temples. I’m not a Beijing expert, but I had a great time and I definitely recommend people to try,” she said. Her enthusiasm painted a vivid picture of discovery, blending playful storytelling with a deep appreciation for China’s historical and cultural treasures.

The story of Coco Gauff and Carlos Alcaraz’s China Open adventure dates back to last year, when both young superstars took a moment away from the courts to explore Beijing. Prior to the tournament, they visited the iconic Forbidden City, dressed in traditional Chinese attire, immersing themselves in the history and culture of the ancient capital, with even a video capturing their camaraderie. “We’re here in the Forbidden City, learning about the culture, and I am here with Carlos and we have our traditional clothing on. And we are super excited to be here.” The trip was as memorable off the court as it would prove to be on it, leaving lasting impressions on both players.

Their visit seemed to carry more than cultural significance, it was almost prophetic. Alcaraz and Gauff not only explored the Forbidden City for the first time, but both also captured their first China Open titles. Alcaraz triumphed over World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the longest men’s singles match in the tournament’s history, lasting 3 hours and 21 minutes, while Gauff followed by defeating Karolina Muchova in straight sets on Sunday. The timing of their victories added a touch of magic to their shared experience in Beijing.

Reflecting on the visit during the trophy ceremony, Gauff shared with tournament emcee Dong Wang, “Carlos and I both went to the Forbidden City earlier this week and someone in press told me that it was going to bring me luck. And I said I don’t know, I don’t want to jinx it. Then Carlos won, but at that time it was only the round of 16 for me. Yeah, I guess the Imperial Palace brought us luck and maybe I will pay a visit again next year and get the same luck.” Her words highlighted the playful superstition and the sense of wonder that came with experiencing China’s rich heritage.

Alcaraz echoed the sentiment in his pre-tournament press conference last year, reflecting on the lasting impact of the trip. “It was a great experience being there. I couldn’t go around much last year. For me, it’s great to see the culture here in China, see different things. Being there [in the Forbidden City] was a great experience for me. I’m really happy to be back here again in Beijing.” The Spaniard’s appreciation underscored the blend of sport, culture, and personal growth that marked their first visit.

Between historic victories, cultural explorations, and cheeky jabs, Gauff and Alcaraz’s China Open story continues to blend sport, humor, and heritage into an unforgettable chapter of their careers.

Coco Gauff speaks out about missing Gavin MacMillan at China Open

Coco Gauff’s partnership with biomechanics specialist Gavin MacMillan generated significant attention during the US Open, as the American sought to address one of the most glaring challenges of her 2025 season: her serve. Over the course of approximately 51 matches this year, Gauff has already committed 347 double faults, highlighting a pressing need for consistency and control. MacMillan, who played a key role in fixing Aryna Sabalenka’s serving struggles, was brought in to help Gauff find stability and confidence on her first delivery.

At the 2025 US Open, Gauff reached the R16, where she was eliminated by four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka. Across her four matches in the tournament, she committed 27 double faults. While moments of struggle were evident, Gauff also displayed subtle technical improvements, suggesting that the work with MacMillan was beginning to pay off. The numbers, however, still underscores the ongoing challenge she faces on her serve.

Fans were surprised, then, to see Gauff practicing in Beijing without MacMillan, sparking speculation that the short-lived partnership might have ended abruptly. Gauff moved quickly to clarify, addressing the situation directly. “I’m still working with Gavin, but he’s not here because we started last minute, so he had other plans for this part of the year. We’ll be working with each other right when I get home from here,” she explained, putting rumors to rest.

With MacMillan absent in Beijing, questions linger: can Gauff confront her serving demons and defend her China Open title this year?