Coco Gauff has entered rare territory in women’s tennis. At just 21 years old, she has reached 12 WTA-1000 semi-finals, surpassing both Serena and Venus Williams in this category before turning 22. Only Martina Hingis (33) and Maria Sharapova (15) have achieved more at the same age, placing Gauff third on the all-time list since the Tier I/WTA-1000 format was introduced in 1990.

This milestone was reached during her run at the China Open, where she defeated Eva Lys to secure her 11th WTA-1000 semi-final, and then added another in Beijing. Her consistency at the highest level of non-Grand Slam tournaments has drawn comparisons to the sport’s greatest early achievers.

Surpassing the Williams legacy

Gauff’s achievement is particularly significant given the legacy of the Williams sisters. Serena Williams reached her 11th WTA-1000 semi-final at 21 years and 228 days, while Venus did so at 21 years and 274 days. Gauff, at 21 years and 195 days, has now moved ahead of both.

“It feels good to be winning matches and still feel like I have a whole ceiling to reach,” said Gauff after her win in Rome earlier this year. Her ability to perform under pressure and adapt her game has been a defining feature of her rise.

Consistency across surfaces and seasons

Gauff’s success spans multiple surfaces and tournaments. She holds a 14–1 record at the China Open, having won the title in 2024 and reached the semi-finals in both 2023 and 2025. Her victories over top-ranked players like Maria Sakkari, Paula Badosa, and Karolína Muchová have solidified her reputation as a formidable competitor.

Her semifinal appearances include deep runs in Rome, Cincinnati, Indian Wells, and Dubai, showcasing her adaptability and endurance across the WTA calendar.

Looking ahead to Grand Slam ambitions

While Gauff has already claimed two Grand Slam titles — the 2023 US Open and the 2025 French Open — her performance in WTA-1000 events suggests she’s poised for even greater dominance. Both Hingis and Sharapova, the only players ahead of her in this category, went on to win five Grand Slam titles each.

“I’m really confident on clay. I think it’s a surface that works well for my game,” said Gauff during her run in Rome. With her growing experience and tactical maturity, she remains one of the brightest stars in the sport.

A new chapter in American tennis

Gauff’s ascent marks a generational shift in American tennis. As she continues to break records and challenge the benchmarks set by legends, her journey is inspiring a new wave of fans and players alike. Her blend of athleticism, resilience, and humility has made her a standout figure on and off the court.

WTA Wuhan - Cori Gauff's projected path

Gauff in Wuhan, ranking, and results in 2025

At the moment ranked no.3, Coco has managed to achieve a composed 45-14 record in 2025. The American is playing at the moment in Wuhan where she bested the world no.91 Moyuka Uchijima 6-1 6-0, the world no.142 Shuai Zhang 6-3 6-2 and the world no.57 Laura Siegemund 6-3 6-0.

The American has won 2 titles in 2025 in Australia and French Open. Gauff reached the final in Madrid (Mutua Madrid Open) and in Rome (Internazionali BNL d’Italia).

Gauff won 11 titles in her career: 7 on hard courts, 2 on clay courts and 2 on indoor courts. (See the list of her titles)