2025 has started on a great footing for American tennis fans. The first good news came with the Team US clinching the United Cup for the second time in 3 years. Taylor Fritz and Coco Gauff showed their prowess in the finals. Secondly, for the first time in almost two decades, both an American ATP and WTA player are ranked in the top four of a major. So, it was inevitable for a new friendship to brew between the two.

Coco Gauff has launched her run at the hard-court major in a great fashion. She defeated 2020 Australian Open winner, Sofia Kenin, in the first round in straight sets, taking her match-winning streak to 6 matches since the United Cup. During her post-match AO conference, she spoke about various topics ranging from defeating a Grand Slam winner to her gameplay. And one topic was about her newfound friendship with her compatriot, Taylor Fritz.

Firstly, talking about Fritz’s mentality, she stated, “Taylor has a lot of confidence, and I think it’s great. Something that everybody can learn from. His mentality is very great in the belief that he has in himself, even in me…He kind of predicted how the finals would go for the United Cup.”

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Commending the moral boost that he brought to the team, Gauff further added, “When we were playing, I knew if I got my point on the board just the way he carries himself. You’re like, okay, this guy is not going to lose so I would pretty much cool down almost all the way…he is a great role model, I think for, now that I know him, for American tennis.” 

Given the nature of the sport, the two singles players could not mingle much until they had to team up for specific events. However, Gauff rejoiced at the fact of their brewing friendship. She stated, “I didn’t know him well and then I got to know him over the Olympics and then over United Cup.”

Finally, she vouched for Frtiz as she warned his competitors. She stated, “He’s someone that everybody should look out for this year cuz he’s playing some great tennis. With that mentality, I think he can go as far as he wants.”

Their time at the team events at the Olympics and the United Cup have strengthened their friendship. Not only that, Fritz even boosted her morale before her match with Iga Swiatek at the United Cup.

Coco Gauff on Taylor Fritz’s unwavering faith in her against Iga Swiatek

Gauff has not fared well against the Polish tennis star. In their 13 encounters before the United Cup, Gauff has defeated Swiatek only twice. So, when asked if Fritz predicted her win before her match against Swiatek, Gauff laughed heartily. With a wide smile on her face, she reminisced,

“He said that about every match, though. Every match, he would just be pretty confident like yeah, you’re going to win and I’m going to win.” All in all, the results turned out to be great. Gauff defeated Swiatek in straight sets in the United Cup match. This was Gauff’s second consecutive win over Swiatek after toping her at the WTA Finals in Riyadh in November 2024.

After her victory against Swiatek at the United Cup, Gauff gained the much-needed confidence before her run at the AO. “I think just confidence. I think I have the belief that I’m one of the best players in the world and when I play good tennis, I’m hard to beat,” she said during her official post-match conference at the United Cup.

Now, with her win against Sofia Kenin, she is all set to face Jodie Anna Burrage in the second round of the Australian Open. On the other hand, Fritz will be facing Cristian Garin in his second round at the major. The nerves, expectations, and energy are high at the Rod Laver Arena as America has found itself with its top two players pitching themselves for a double miracle.