Beijing, China — The defending champion’s fall was shocking. In just 58 minutes, Coco Gauff was dismantled by Amanda Anisimova in the China Open semifinals with a brutal 6-1, 6-2 defeat — a loss that exposed cracks in her game and forced her to confront difficult truths. But what she revealed afterward may prove more powerful than that match itself.
🎯 The Collapse That Stung
Gauff entered Beijing hoping to defend her crown, having stormed past Eva Lys in the quarterfinals to reach the last four. But when she faced Anisimova, the match never felt competitive. The American was 5–0 down in each set before the writing was on the wall. Postmatch, she didn’t deflect — she admitted she had no rhythm, was outplayed, and felt completely shut down by her opponent’s leve l “I couldn’t really have a chance of getting a rhythm out there,” she said.
🛠️ Behind the Breakdown: Serve, Confidence & Change
What made the match so one-sided was her serve — Gauff hit just 38% first-serve points that day, and never recovered. But in her response was a glimmer of hope: she claims she feels comfortable with the serving adjustments she’s making, even though the results didn’t show it in Beijing.
And she’s not lacking support. Tennis legend Rick Macci stepped into the spotlight to offer her a blueprint — advising her to treat her serve as a weapon, rewire her muscle memory, and refine her forehand to dictate play rather than scramble for survival.His belief? That at just 21, Gauff’s worst days can still become her foundation for greatness.
✨ A Comeback Plan Hides in Plain Sight
Despite the harsh defeat, Gauff’s vision reaches beyond any single match. She’s spoken about wanting to leave tennis better than she found it — pushing for change in how the sport shares its revenue and supports players. And earlier this year, she launched Coco Gauff Enterprises, taking control of her career, endorsements, and legacy.
Her next steps suggest this defeat isn’t a collapse — it’s a pivot. Gauff’s telling signs: embracing technical overhaul, leaning into leadership, and defending her identity even in the face of humiliation.
