Emma Raducanu and Coco Gauff are set to renew their rivalry at the Italian Open on Monday – having last faced off at the 2023 Australian Open, where the American emerged victorious
Emma Raducanu and Coco Gauff have emerged as two of the most exciting prospects in women’s tennis, their rapid ascents highlighted by Grand Slam victories that turned plenty of heads.
Raducanu, who lifted the US Open trophy in 2021, and Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, have together captured two of the sport’s top honours before turning 22. Still, both players are now striving to rediscover top form and re-establish themselves among the game’s elite.
The pair are set to clash at the Italian Open on Monday, marking just their second career meeting. Raducanu, coming off a determined 5-7, 6-0, 6-1 win over Veronika Kudermetova, expressed her anticipation at facing Gauff.
“She’s a great fighter, a great opponent but it’s good that we can be in the same tournaments now and that I’m in the second week of these Masters. I’m really happy and proud of myself,” the 22-year-old said, before adding: “It’s exciting – it’s going to be a match where I can test myself.”
Gauff, who overcame Magda Linette 7-5, 6-3, acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming clay-court duel, a surface where she previously reached the French Open final. She said she expected a “tough match,” and for good reason – their last encounter at the 2023 Australian Open was a tightly contested affair, despite Gauff emerging victorious in straight sets.
Post-match, the American star admitted she needed to “dig deep” against Raducanu’s gritty play. “Kudos to Emma,” she said, commending her opponent’s performance despite having recently recovered from an ankle issue. “She raised her level a lot towards the end of the second set. It takes a lot of resilience to do that.
“When you’re down a set and a break, it’s easy to throw in the towel. I think she did a good job of raising her level when she needed to.”
Raducanu, just 20 at the time, returned the praise with generous words for Gauff. “I think she’s a great person on and off the court,” the Canada-born Brit said.
“She’s extremely humble and down to earth. And what she’s achieved on the court has obviously helped in giving her this platform for her to pursue what she pleases off the court as well.”
She also described Gauff as a “great role model” for her grace under pressure – something Raducanu herself has seemingly struggled with since her unexpected US Open victory. In the years since, she has not made it beyond the fourth round in any Slam, while injury setbacks and frequent coaching changes have hindered her consistency.
Gauff, meanwhile, has seen steadier progress, though she, too, is seeking a second major. The 21-year-old reached the semi-finals in both Melbourne and Paris in 2024, but hasn’t advanced past the quarter-finals at the other Slams since her US Open triumph.
Back in 2023, Gauff commented on the possibility of a rivalry forming between her and Raducanu: “I don’t know if Emma and I will develop a rivalry or not for years to come,” while emphasising mutual admiration. “In my head I still think a rivalry is where you hate the person and I definitely don’t hate Emma – I really like her,” she said.
Earlier this year, Gauff also showed support after Raducanu experienced a frightening incident in Dubai involving a stalker, sharing that she too had faced unsettling encounters. Raducanu was shaken after recognising a man in the stands who had previously exhibited “fixated behaviour” toward her.
“This happens to me too,” Gauff wrote on social media, highlighting the challenges that fame can bring. “I don’t know how it happens. My theory is maybe someone at the airport tips them off.”
In recent times, their careers have followed diverging paths. While Raducanu has displayed flashes of improvement, she has yet to string together consistent results. Gauff, on the other hand, has climbed steadily, earning multiple WTA titles and solidifying her place at the top.
Now ranked No. 3 in the world, Gauff enters Monday’s matchup as the clear favourite. As both players gear up for battle, their mutual admiration – from Gauff’s disinterest in rivalry talk to Raducanu’s kind words – underscores a respectful bond between two emerging icons.
Their first showdown on clay might ignite a classic rivalry – or simply serve as another testament to their shared journey. Either way, tennis fans can expect a compelling contest as these two US Open champions vie for a place in the quarter-finals.