Coco Gauff “wanted to lose” in Miami Open

Coco Gauff hasn’t enjoyed the greatest of starts to 2025. Since losing to Paula Badosa in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open in January, the American has suffered early exits in her three subsequent tournaments, losing twice in the round of 32 and then in the round of 16, all to opponents ranked well below her.

The 21-year-old, however, couldn’t have got off to a better start at this week’s Miami Open, however, opening up with a 6-0, 6-0 thrashing of compatriot Sofia Kenin.

Gauff: “A one or two-time thing”

It was only the second time in Gauff’s career she had registered a ‘double bagel,’ but she revealed following the comfortable victory that she would rather have lost a game to her rival.

Speaking to British broadcaster Sky Sports after the match, the world no. 3 claimed she wanted to give up a game just to avoid being nervous about securing a ‘perfect’ result in the closing stages.

“Honestly, when I was 3-0, I kind of wanted to lose a game because I knew I was going to be nervous at 5-0. But once I got that first point, I was like, ‘Okay, maybe I just need to get three more.’”

“I wanted it because I don’t know how many times it will happen again, hopefully a little bit more but I feel this is a one or two-time in my career type of thing.”

Gauff’s tough round-of-32 challenge

Gauff will not expect to have such a straightforward challenge in the round of 32, where the will face Maria Sakkari. The Greek is currently ranked 29th in the world, and is the 28th seed in Miami, although she has been as high as world no. 3 and is a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist.

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