Coco Gauff Breaks Silence on Chasing Serena Williams’ Iconic WTA Finals Record
Coco Gauff is heading into the WTA Finals in Riyadh with the chance to emulate her idol, Serena Williams, by becoming the first player to successfully defend her WTA Finals title since Williams completed a three-peat in 2014. The American star, who captured the prestigious season-ending title in 2024, is now on the verge of matching a specific piece of the Williams legacy that has remained untouched for over a decade.
As reported by The National News, when confronted with the prospect of this iconic record, Gauff offered a verdict that reveals her mature mindset. She stated, “I’m not thinking about that. I really just want to focus on my first match ahead and take it one match at a time. I think that’s what I did last year. Going to try to keep that mindset.”
This focus on the immediate challenge rather than the historical achievement underscores the pragmatic approach that has become a hallmark of her recent success. Her comment, “I know it’s been a long time since anyone defended, so it’s like, OK, I hope I’m that person,”
This perspective has been hard-won through a season of both triumph and adversity. Gauff arrives in Riyadh having secured her second Grand Slam title at Roland Garros and a WTA 1000 crown in Wuhan, building a formidable 47-14 win-loss record for the season.
However, her year has also been a roller coaster, marked by a coaching shake-up and a very public struggle to transform her serve, which even led to a panic attack during her US Open second-round match. So what really happened there?
Coco Gauff’s tennis experience at home wasn’t quite easy
Coco Gauff had a tough and emotional ride during her 2025 US Open, ultimately wrapping up her journey with a fourth-round loss. She faced some tough mental and technical challenges during her tournament. While working with a biomechanics expert to remodel her serve, she experienced a public panic attack in her second-round match.
After a couple of tough matches filled with mistakes, she really hit her stride in the third round, cruising to a solid straight-sets win over Magdalena Frech. But in the fourth round, Naomi Osaka put a stop to her run by focusing on Gauff’s weaker forehand and serve. Gauff talked about the tiring ups and downs, saying,
Now, as Coco Gauff steps onto the court in Riyadh, she’s not just carrying the hope of matching one of Serena’s lasting records; she’s also showing that the champion’s mindset she looked up to can be created all over again. She’s really concentrating on one match at a time, but if she pulls off a successful title defense, it would definitely solidify her place as the natural successor to Serena Williams’ legacy on the WTA tour.
Script for McCarthy's return gets dreamier with Vikings' top two tackles back
Michigan. Tom Brady. Vikings. Lions. Who's got it better than J.J. McCarthy?
It's Week 9 of the NFL season and McCarthy will make his return to the field in Detroit for the first time since suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 2, and the script, which was already better than anything Hollywood could've dreamed up, got even better with multiple reports saying Vikings tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O'Neill will play.
Both Darrisaw and O'Neill were listed as questionable on Minnesota's final injury report, but their inclusion Sunday in the Motor City should make McCarthy's life under center a whole lot better.
The script really is perfect. McCarthy is playing in Michigan, where he led the Wolverines to a national championship alongside Aidan Hutchinson, who will be chasing him for the Lions, all while Michigan great Tom Brady calls the game in the FOX broadcast booth.
It's as good as it gets from the storyline perspective, and as big as it gets for a Minnesota team that has been plagued by injuries and stumbled to a 3-4 record. A win Sunday will keep them in the thick of the NFC North race, while a loss would significantly hurt their chances in the division and in the NFC wild-card race.
McCarthy played in the first two games of the season without Darrisaw, who was still going through the final stages of ACL rehab. The 22-year-old quarterback also played without wide receiver Jordan Addison in Weeks 1 and 2, as Addison was serving a three-game suspension connected to his DWI arrest in California in July 2024.
McCarthy also faced an Atlanta defense that has held every opposing quarterback to 205 passing yards or less. The Falcons held McCarthy to 158 pass yards, while also limiting Baker Mayfield (167), Bryce Young (121), Marcus Mariota (156), Josh Allen (180), Mac Jones (152), and Tua Tagovailoa (205).
All in all, McCarthy is making his return in a pivotal game — and he'll have the strongest supporting cast he's ever had in his young career as an NFL starter. The only key players he won't have around him are center Ryan Kelly, who is on injured reserve after sustaining two concussions, and No. 2 tight end Josh Oliver, who suffered a foot sprain last week against the Chargers.
The stage is set. Now it's up to McCarthy to show the world what he can do.
