Defending Champion Coco Gauff Reveals the Opponent Who Scares Her the Most and Hopes She Never Has to Face Again.

Coco Gauff, the young tennis sensation who has taken the world by storm, is no stranger to tough battles on the court. At just 20 years old, she’s already a Grand Slam champion and a household name, known for her fierce competitiveness, lightning speed, and mental toughness.

But despite her meteoric rise and incredible success, there is one opponent who Coco Gauff admits scares her more than anyone else—a formidable rival she hopes she never has to face again.

In a candid interview following her latest victory, Gauff opened up about the challenges she’s faced against the top players in the world. While she has conquered some of the sport’s biggest names, including Naomi Osaka and Venus Williams, there is one player who consistently gives her nightmares on the court: Iga Świątek.

Świątek, the Polish powerhouse who has dominated the WTA tour with her aggressive baseline play and relentless consistency, has proven to be a tough nut for Gauff to crack.

Gauff admits that Świątek’s ability to combine power with pinpoint accuracy, along with her calm demeanor under pressure, makes her an opponent that she dreads facing. “Iga just plays a different level of tennis,” Gauff confessed. “Her shots have this incredible pace and spin that are hard to handle, and she never gives you a moment to breathe. It’s like playing against a wall that keeps getting closer and faster.”

Gauff’s respect for Świątek is well-earned. Their head-to-head record is lopsided in favor of the Polish star, with Świątek consistently finding ways to outmaneuver and outsmart Gauff in crucial moments.

Świątek’s aggressive style disrupts Gauff’s rhythm, forcing her into uncomfortable positions on the court. “I feel like I’m constantly on the defensive when I play her,” Gauff admits. “She takes the game to you in a way that no one else does, and it’s really hard to get back on your terms.”

It’s not just Świątek’s physical game that intimidates Gauff; it’s also her mental fortitude. Gauff describes Świątek as an “ice queen” on the court—cool, composed, and utterly unshakeable, even in the tensest moments of a match. “She doesn’t show any emotion, which can be really unnerving,” Gauff explained.

“You can win a great point against her, and she just steps up and serves an ace like it never happened. That kind of mental toughness is something I aspire to, but it’s also terrifying to face.”

Despite her fear, Gauff doesn’t shy away from admitting her admiration for Świątek. “She’s the benchmark right now,” Gauff said. “If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best, and right now, that’s Iga.” Yet, there’s a hint of relief in Gauff’s voice when she talks about the possibility of avoiding Świątek in tournament draws.

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t check where she is in the draw,” Gauff laughed. “It’s not that I’m scared to play her—okay, maybe a little—but it’s more about knowing how tough it’s going to be. You have to bring your absolute best against her, and even that might not be enough.”

As Gauff continues to develop her game and rack up titles, the specter of Świątek looms large. But if there’s one thing we know about Coco Gauff, it’s that she thrives under pressure. The challenge of overcoming her most feared opponent may be daunting, but it’s also the kind of test that could elevate Gauff’s game to new heights. Until then, she remains a defending champion who, like every great competitor, knows that the path to greatness is rarely easy—and often filled with foes who push you to the edge.