Home ahoho COCO GAUFF’S US OPEN RUN ENDED IN HEARTBREAK AGAINST ELENA RYBAKINA — BUT THE 22-YEAR-OLD HAS ALREADY MADE CLEAR WHAT COMES NEXT, AND HER RESPONSE SHOWS SHE’S THINKING FAR BEYOND ONE PAINFUL LOSS. Gauff admitted the defeat still hurts, especially after a summer that included deep runs at Wimbledon, Toronto and New York, as well as a Cincinnati title. But she also believes recent changes to her game are beginning to work, pointing to how quickly she corrected old habits during the tournament. Rather than dwell on the semifinal exit, Coco is already focused on the longer journey — and where all that work could take her over the next few years.

COCO GAUFF’S US OPEN RUN ENDED IN HEARTBREAK AGAINST ELENA RYBAKINA — BUT THE 22-YEAR-OLD HAS ALREADY MADE CLEAR WHAT COMES NEXT, AND HER RESPONSE SHOWS SHE’S THINKING FAR BEYOND ONE PAINFUL LOSS. Gauff admitted the defeat still hurts, especially after a summer that included deep runs at Wimbledon, Toronto and New York, as well as a Cincinnati title. But she also believes recent changes to her game are beginning to work, pointing to how quickly she corrected old habits during the tournament. Rather than dwell on the semifinal exit, Coco is already focused on the longer journey — and where all that work could take her over the next few years.

ahoho · 11/09/2026 · comments off
The 22-year-old lost to Elena Rybakina 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 on Thursday night in New York.

Coco Gauff will not have too much time to think about her US Open semifinal defeat, with the American already having her next part of the 2026 season in front of her.

The 22-year-old lost to Elena Rybakina 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 on Thursday night in New York. Gauff had the better start and took the first set, but the incoming world No. 1 found a way back into the match and won two close sets to reach the final.

It was a painful result for the former US Open champion, who had arrived in New York after winning Cincinnati and reaching the semifinal in Toronto. Still, the American stressed that she can see progress in the changes she has made to her game.

“I think I played almost every match on my terms,” Gauff said after the loss.

The world No. 4 pointed out that her quarterfinal against Mirra Andreeva was probably the match where some old habits returned. However, she was delighted that she changed things quickly before facing Rybakina.

Gauff is also not planning to stop her season after New York. The official China Open entry list includes the two-time Grand Slam tournament champion, with the WTA 1000 event in Beijing scheduled from September 30 to October 11.

Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff© TheTennisLetter / X / Fair Use

Gauff will continue working after the US Open: I’m just excited to keep putting in the work

There is a gap of almost three weeks between the end of Gauff’s US Open run and the beginning of Beijing. That gives her some time to work with her team before another big tournament.

The American has spoken many times about improving her serve and forehand, while she also worked with biomechanics specialist Gavin MacMillan during the last year. The results have not always been perfect, but the 22-year-old believes she is going in a better direction.

Former US Open champion Andy Roddick also noticed the change earlier in the tournament. Speaking after Gauff’s first-round win over Zeynep Sonmez, Roddick said that when Coco finishes with more aces than double faults, things usually go well for her. That was an important topic after her serving problems during parts of 2025.

“I’m just excited to keep putting in the work,” Gauff said in New York.

Her summer had a lot of positive moments. She reached her first Wimbledon semifinal, got to the last four in Toronto and then won Cincinnati for the second time in her career. She also returned to the US Open semifinal for the first time since winning the title in 2023.

Her father also reminded her about those results after the Rybakina match. Gauff claimed that the loss still hurt because she wants to give herself chances to lift trophies regularly.

That has been one of the main goals for the former world No. 2. She has already won two Grand Slam tournaments, but consistency across the whole season is something she continues to chase.

Elena Rybakina
Elena Rybakina© nick_ally1986 / X / Fair Use

Beijing is next as Gauff looks toward the end of 2026

The China Open will be Gauff’s next listed tournament. She has good memories from Beijing after winning the title there in 2024, while Amanda Anisimova won the event in 2025.

After Beijing, the Wuhan Open is scheduled from October 12 to October 18. Gauff won Wuhan in 2025 after beating Jessica Pegula in the final, although the official 2026 Wuhan player list has not yet been published.

The final big target of the year is the WTA Finals, which will be played at Indian Wells from November 8 to 15. Gauff won that tournament in 2024 and has been in the race for another appearance during this season.

For now, there is no Grand Slam tournament left in 2026, so the American can use the final weeks of the season to continue the work that has already changed parts of her game.

Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff© hionfashion / X / Fair Use

Before the Rybakina defeat, Gauff had also spoken about how her mindset changed compared with last season.

“Honestly, just believing is all I can do,” she said after beating Andreeva in the quarterfinal.

The American saved two match points in that match and won 2-6, 7-6(7), 6-2. It was another difficult win in a season where she has often needed three sets.

Gauff will leave New York without the trophy, but her 2026 season is not finished. Beijing is already on the calendar, Wuhan could follow, and the WTA Finals remain another possible big tournament before attention turns to 2027.

Fans gave Gauff a lot of support on social media immediately after her latest match, stressing that she has a bright future ahead of her. Many believe that this level of tennis gives the young American a good chance to make more breakthroughs at prestigious tournaments in the future.

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